Congressman Cleaver Announces Major Success in Securing Critical Funds for Kansas City

Press Release

Congressman Emanuel Cleaver, II, is pleased to announce efforts to secure and restore federal funding for Kansas City have been successful. The grants are to fight terrorism and assist in emergency preparedness, and Kansas City won big in both areas.

Today, the United States Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency announced its list of cities receiving grants. The awards are for the State Homeland Security Program, and the Urban Areas Security Initiative (UASI).

After getting ZERO dollars last year under UASI, Kansas City will receive $1,000,000 this fiscal year.

And Missouri has been awarded almost $4 million dollars ($3,978,000) for fiscal year 2014 for our State Homeland Security Program. That's an increase of almost a half of a million dollars over last year's allocation of $3,459,364.

"This is an astounding victory for Kansas City and the entire metropolitan region," said U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II. "The threats we face, from tornadoes to terrorists, continue to increase and become more complex. Our local law enforcement officers and first responders are working day and night to be prepared, and we must do everything we can to support them - plain and simple. And these grants make a dramatic difference."

Congressman Cleaver has argued vociferously in Washington that Kansas City should be returned to the list of cities getting funds. After years of receiving UASI funds, in 2011 and again in 2013, Kansas City got nothing. In August of last year, he reached out to then Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, to again plead Kansas City's case.

"I am thrilled our area will get the richly deserved funding we need to help in making our community a safer place," said Congressman Cleaver. "Make no mistake, I will continue to work to make sure we get what we need to help, not hamstring, our police officers, firefighters, first responders, and all others dedicating themselves to these unbelievably challenging jobs. They must be armed with the best talent, the best tools, and the best techniques, in order to be prepared to fight through the worst. "

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