By Rhea Arledge, Legislative Counsel

National District Attorneys Association’s 2007 Capital Conference

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The National District Attorneys Association’s annual legislative conference was held this year on January 30–31 at the Washington, D.C., Grand Hyatt Hotel.

This year’s agenda consisted, in part, of discussions by the co-chairs of the NDAA legislation committee (John Sarcone, county attorney, Des Moines, IA; David Barber, district attorney, Birmingham, AL; and Mike Wright, prosecuting attorney, Warrenton, MO) regarding funding for the NDAA state and local prosecutor training programs at the Ernest F. Hollings National Advocacy Center in FY2007 and FY2008, and the formation of a prosecutor caucus in the House of Representatives.

The association was privileged to have Regina B. Schofield, assistant attorney general, Office of Justice Programs, United States Department of Justice, provide an update on the Office of Justice Programs. In addition, Cybele Daley, deputy assistant attorney general, Office of Justice Programs, took time to answer additional questions regarding grant programs at OJP.

Conference attendees were brought up-to-date on the status of Byrne-Justice Assistance Grants funding by Benjamin G. Bawden, Sr., senior vice president, the Charles Group. Michael Dreeben, deputy solicitor general, Office of the Solicitor General, United States Department of Justice, gave a comprehensive update of the United States Supreme Court cases from this term (2006-2007).

The association was honored to have both Senator Richard Durbin (D-IL) and Senator John F. Kerry (D-MA) present to address the group. Senator Durbin discussed in detail the “John R. Justice Prosecutors and Defenders Incentive Act of 2007,” which was introduced on January 31, 2007. Senator Durbin specifically noted that the quality of prosecutors and public defenders is reflected in the quality of outcome in the courtroom. Unfortunately, the combination of low salaries and high law school tuition prohibits two-thirds of law school graduates from entering into public service. Several poignant stories of prosecutors who enjoy their jobs but cannot afford to remain as prosecutors were reported.

Philip MacDonnell, chief deputy county attorney, Maricopa County, Arizona, worked tirelessly at the local level to institute a student loan repayment assistance program for prosecutors. Fortunately, his efforts paid off and he was present during the conference to discuss in detail the “Maricopa County Attorney’s Office Attorney Loan Repayment Assistance Program,” which became effective July 1, 2006.

Senator Kerry described his early years as a prosecutor in Massachusetts and expressed an understanding of the problems of low salary and high law school loan debt that face new prosecutors today. The recent formation of a Senate Prosecutor Caucus by Senator Kerry and Senator Graham; the goals of the caucus; and the current membership were also discussed in detail. Senator Kerry confided that he understands front-line prosecutors, understands their lack of resources, and understands the difference that resources make to district attorneys. A question and answer period lead to discussions on a variety of topics including: court diversion programs, mental health issues among prisoners, prevention programs (education & treatment), witness protection, and funding for the NDAA training programs at the Ernest F. Hollings National Advocacy Center.

On the evening of January 30 the annual Congressional reception was held in the Dirksen Senate Office Building and was one of the best attended in recent years. Numerous members of Congress took time to attend the affair and to address the guests. The representatives and the senators spoke primarily about the importance of shoring up the criminal justice system and the safety of the community by providing recruitment and retention incentives to prosecutors and defenders. In addition, many speakers also noted the importance of the NDAA training programs at the Ernest F. Hollings National Advocacy Center and voiced their support for its continued operations. The following members attended and spoke during the reception:

Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) was introduced by Joe Cassilly, State’s Attorney, Harford County, & NDAA Past Treasurer; Patricia Jessamy, State’s Attorney, Baltimore City, & NDAA Past Secretary; Frank Kratovil, State’s Attorney, Queen Anne’s County, & NDAA State Director.

Senator Bob Corker (R-TN) was introduced by William Gibbons, District Attorney General, Memphis, & NDAA State Director.

Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) was introduced by John Sarcone, County Attorney, Polk County, & NDAA Vice-President.

Senator Daniel K. Inouye (D-HI) was introduced by Peter Carlisle, Prosecuting Attorney, City & County of Honolulu, & NDAA State Director.

Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) was introduced by James Backstrom, County Attorney, Dakota County, & NDAA Past Vice-President.

Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) was introduced by Mathias H. Heck Jr., Prosecuting Attorney, Montgomery County, Ohio & NDAA President.

Senator Claire McCaskill (D-MO) was introduced by Robert McCulloch, Prosecuting Attorney, St. Louis County, & NDAA Past President.

Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) was introduced by Edward DeFazio, County Prosecutor, Hudson County, & NDAA State Director.

Senator Ben Nelson (D-NE) was introduced by Lee Polikov, County Attorney, Sarpy County.

Senator Jeff Sessions (R-AL) was introduced by Randy Hillman, Executive Director, Alabama District Attorneys Association.

Senator John E. Sununu (R-NH) was introduced by James Reams, County Attorney, Rockingham County, & NDAA Treasurer.

Representative Marsha Blackburn (R-TN-7th District) was introduced by Dan Alsobrooks, District Attorney General, 23rd Judicial District, & NDAA Past President.

Representative Chris Cannon (R-UT-3rd District) was introduced by Lohra Miller, District Attorney, Salt Lake County.

Representative Brad Ellsworth (D-IN-8th District) was introduced by Stanley Levco, Prosecuting Attorney, 1st Judicial District, & NDAA State Director.

Representative Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI-2nd District) was introduced by Peter Carlisle, Prosecuting Attorney, City and County of Honolulu, & NDAA State Director.

Representative Paul Hodes (D-NH-2nd District) was introduced by James Reams, County Attorney, Rockingham County, & NDAA Treasurer.

Representative Ed Perlmutter (D-CO-7th District).

Representative Ted Poe (R-TX-2nd District) was introduced by Charles Rosenthal, District Attorney, Harris County, & NDAA Vice-President.

Representative John F. Tierney (D-MA-6th District) was introduced by Jonathan W. Blodgett, District Attorney, Essex County.

The following dignitaries attended the reception:

• Winona State University, President Judith Ramaley
• Acting Director, ATF, Michael Sullivan
• DEA Chief Counsel, Wendy Goggin
• Special Assistant to the President, Toby Burke

Funding for the NDAA Training Programs at the Ernest F. Hollings National Advocacy Center

Fiscal Year 2007 Continuing Resolution

H.J. Res. 20 was passed by the Senate on February 14 after having been adopted by the House of Representatives on January 31. The president signed the legislation on February 15 (the date the continuing resolution was scheduled to expire) and as a result, the federal government, agencies and programs will be funded through the end of the fiscal year (September 30, 2007). Unfortunately, H.J. Res. 20 removed all references to earmarks as anticipated, including the National District Attorneys Association’s training programs at the Ernest F. Hollings National Advocacy Center (See pages 97 & 98 of H.J. Res. 20). The legislation can be reviewed at http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c110:H.J.RES.20.enr:

During meetings on Capitol Hill at the end of January, the association was advised that there would be funding available for both the Byrne-JAG and COPS programs. The NDAA training programs at the Ernest F. Hollings National Advocacy Center were funded out of Project Safe Neighborhoods (COPS) during Fiscal Year 2006. Furthermore, the Department of Justice will have discretion in the distribution of these funds. H.J. Res. 20 also requires the Department of Justice to submit, within 30 days of enactment (March 19), a spending, expenditure, or operating plan to both the House of Representatives and Senate Committees on Appropriations.

However, the resolution does not provide for Congressional approval of the spending plan. All applicants for federal funding must comply with the 30-day period for submission of the spending plan before any further action occurs.

A recent directive from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) instructs all federal agencies to provide awards through the competitive grant process and advises against the distribution of federal monies pursuant to the wishes of lawmakers or interested parties. Unfortunately, the competitive grant process could take a substantial amount of time following the submission of the spending plan on March 19 and the training programs at the Ernest F. Hollings National Advocacy Center are currently in need of funding.

Fiscal Year 2008 Appropriations Process

President’s Budget Request FY2008

Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs Budget

The president’s budget request for Fiscal Year 2008 was submitted to Congress at the beginning of February. The information below applies to the Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs funding.

For State and Local Law Enforcement Assistance grants administered by the Office of Justice Programs the request proposes to allocate $550 million between two new discretionary grant programs: $200 million for the Violent Crime Reduction Partnership Initiative and $350 million for the Byrne Public Safety and Protection Program.

The Violent Crime Reduction Partnership Initiative is intended to “help communities suffering from high rates of violent crime to address this problem by forming and developing effective multi-jurisdictional law enforcement partnerships between local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies.”

The Byrne Public Safety and Protection Program, as proposed, will be a compilation of previously established programs including the Project Safe Neighborhoods initiative; the Weed and Seed program; drug courts, prescription drug monitoring programs, meth lab clean-up; law enforcement information sharing; reduction of DNA backlogs; human trafficking; prisoner reentry and improving services to victims of crime.

Local law enforcement block grants; state criminal alien assistance; Edward Byrne discretionary grants; justice assistance grants, southwest border prosecutor program; drug courts, capital litigation improvement grant program and the mentally-ill offender act program are some of the programs whose funding is proposed to be eliminated. Because the budget request has reclassified the programs that will receive funding, it is difficult to compare this funding request to prior fiscal years.

For Community Oriented Policing Services the budget proposes $4 million for training and technical assistance and $28 million for the management and administration of the program.

The request proposes to budget $370 million for the Office on Violence against Women to provide grants, contracts, cooperative agreements for the prevention and prosecution of violence against women and for related victims’ services.

With regard to juvenile justice services, the budget proposes to combine the existing exploited children programs with juvenile justice programs under the Child Safety and Juvenile Justice Program. Funding for this program is proposed at $280 million. This consolidation means that all funding for previously identified programs such as victims of child abuse, juvenile accountability incentive block grants and Project Childsafe is eliminated.

Department of Justice Briefing on President’s Budget Request

Funding for each of the above programs will now be discretionary and proposals will be vetted through the competitive grant process. There are no longer specific line items in the Department’s Office of Justice Programs budget. Information from the briefing on the president’s budget request indicated that a future training will be provided for entities that will be applying for these grants. It was also noted that because the two initiatives that comprise the state and local law enforcement assistance are not authorized programs, the Department of Justice will be required to obtain Congressional authorization before appropriations occur.

Submission of Fiscal Year 2008 Appropriations Request Form

The FY2008 Appropriations Request Form for NDAA training programs at the Ernest F. Hollings National Advocacy Center has been submitted to several members of Congress.

Next Step in the Appropriations Process for FY2008

The next step in the appropriations process is the adoption of a Congressional budget resolution to provide guidelines for the individual appropriations subcommittees in their allocation of funding. However, even if the budget resolution is not adopted by April 15 the various appropriations subcommittees can begin work on their individual spending bills.

Student Loan Repayment Assistance Legislation

S. 442, the “John R. Justice Prosecutors and Defenders Incentive Act”

As of February 28, 2007 there were 16 co-sponsors on S. 442. Including Senator Durbin there are 10 Democrats and 6 Republicans signed on to the legislation.

Sponsor: Senator Richard Durbin (D-IL)
Co-Sponsors: Senator Joseph Biden (D-DE)
Senator Susan Collins (R-ME)
Senator Mary Landrieu (D-LA)
Senator Gordon Smith (R-OR)
Senator Arlen Specter (R-PA)
Senator Thad Cochran (R-MS)
Senator John Kerry (D-MA)
Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT)
Senator Olympia Snowe (R-ME)
Senator Norm Coleman (R-MN)
Senator Russell D. Feingold (D-WI)
Senator Edward Kennedy (D-MA)
Senator Herb Kohl (D-WI)
Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA)
Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI)
Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY)

History

Senator Durbin introduced the “John R. Justice Prosecutors and Defenders Incentive Act” on January 31 after speaking that morning at the NDAA Capital Conference regarding the legislation. The legislation was referred to the Senate Committee on the Judiciary and a hearing was held on February 27, 2007.

Witnesses during the February 27 hearing included Paul Logli, NDAA Chairman of the Board & State’s Attorney, Winnebago County, Illinois; Jessica Bergeman, Assistant State’s Attorney, Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office; Professor George Shepherd, Professor of Law at Emory University School of Law. The written testimony of all of the witnesses is available at: http://judiciary.senate.gov/ hearing.cfm?id=2546.

March 1, 2007 Mark-up of S.442

S.442 was passed out of the Judiciary Committee by voice vote on March 1. There were five amendments adopted during mark-up, none of which negatively impact the legislation. The amendments are as follows:

• Senator Durbin’s amendment that clarifies that those who prosecute or provide indigent defense services in juvenile delinquency cases are included in the bill.
• Senator Durbin’s amendment that ensures that the attorney general shall determine a fair allocation of program funds among prosecutors and defenders, and among employing entities nationwide.
• Senator Sessions’s amendment that ensures that repayment benefits will be focused on those who do indigent defense work full-time.
• Senator Hatch’s amendment that instructs the GAO to conduct a study on the factors affecting law school costs and access, including accreditation requirements.
• Senator Cardin’s amendment that specifies that repayment priority shall be given to borrowers who have the least ability to repay their loans.

Senator Prosecutor Caucus Membership Update

As of March 1 the following members of the Senate have joined the Prosecutor Caucus:

Senator John Kerry (D-MA)
Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC)
Senator Ken Salazar (D-CO)
Senator Tim Johnson (D-SD)
Senator Max Baucus (D-MT)
Senator Norm Coleman (R-MN)
Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN)
Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI)

Finalized List of Committee Membership for 110th Congress

(Committees listed are relevant to funding for the NDAA training programs at the NAC and the authorization of a student loan repayment assistance program for prosecutors and defenders.)

House and Senate Leadership

Senate:
Majority

Majority Leader: Senator Harry Reid (Nevada)
Majority Whip: Senator Richard Durbin (Illinois)

Minority

Minority Leader: Senator Mitch McConnell (Kentucky)
Minority Whip: Senator Trent Lott (Mississippi)

House of Representatives:
Majority

Speaker of the House of Representatives: Nancy Pelosi (California 8th District)
Majority Leader: Representative Steny Hoyer (Maryland 5th District)
Majority Whip: Representative James Clyburn (South Carolina 6th District)

Minority

Minority Leader: Representative John Boehner (Ohio 8th District)
Minority Whip: Representative Roy Blunt (Missouri 7th District)

Senate Committee on Appropriations

Majority

Chairman, Robert Byrd (WV)
Daniel K. Inouye (HI)
Patrick Leahy (VT)
Tom Harkin (IA)
Barbara Mikulski (MD)
Herbert Kohl (WI)
Patty Murray (WA)
Byron Dorgan (ND)
Dianne Feinstein (CA)
Richard Durbin (IL)
Tim Johnson (SD)
Mary Landrieu (LA)
Jack Reed (RI)
Frank Lautenberg (NJ)
Ben Nelson (NE)

Minority
Ranking Member, Thad Cochran (MS)

Ted Stevens (AK)
Arlen Specter (PA)
Peter Domenici (NM)
Christopher Bond (MO)
Mitch McConnell (KY)
Richard Shelby (AL)
Judd Gregg (NH)
Robert Bennett (UT)
Larry Craig (ID)
Kay Bailey Hutchison (TX)
Sam Brownback (KS)
Wayne Allard (CO)
Lamar Alexander (TN)

Commerce, Justice, and Science and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee

Majority

Barbara Mikulski, Chair (MD)
Daniel Inouye (HI)
Patrick Leahy (VT)
Herb Kohl (WI)
Tom Harkin (IA)
Byron Dorgan (ND)
Dianne Feinstein (CA)
Jack Reed (RI)
Frank Lautenberg (NJ)

Minority

Richard Shelby, Ranking Member (AL)
Judd Gregg (NH)
Ted Stevens (AK)
Pete Domenici (NM)
Mitch McConnell (KY)
Kay Bailey Hutchison (TX)
Sam Brownback (KS)
Lamar Alexander (TN)

House Committee on Appropriations

Majority

David R. Obey, Chair, (WI 7th District)
John P. Murtha, (PA 12th District)
Norman D. Dicks, (WA 6th District)
Alan B. Mollohan, (WV 1st District)
Marcy Kaptur, (OH 9th District)
Peter J. Visclosky, (IN 1st District)
Nita M. Lowey, (NY 18th District)
José E. Serrano, (NY 16th District)
Rosa L. DeLauro, (CT 3rd District)
James P. Moran, (VA 8th District)
John W. Olver, (MA 1st District)
Ed Pastor, (AZ 4th District)
David E. Price, (NC 4th District)
Chet Edwards, (TX 17th District)
Robert E. “Bud” Cramer, Jr. (AL 5th District)
Patrick J. Kennedy, (RI 1st District)
Maurice D. Hinchey, (NY 22nd District)
Lucille Roybal-Allard, (CA 34th District)
Sam Farr, (CA 17th District)
Jesse L. Jackson, Jr., (IL 2nd District)
Carolyn C. Kilpatrick, (MI 13th District)
Allen Boyd, (FL 2nd District)
Chaka Fattah, (PA 2nd District)
Steven R. Rothman, (NJ 9th District)
Sanford Bishop, (GA 2nd District)
Marion Berry, (AR 1st District)
Barbara Lee, (CA 9th District)
Tom Udall, (NM 3rd District)
Adam Schiff, (CA 29th District)
Michael Honda, (CA 15th District)
Betty McCollum, (MN 4th District)
Steve Israel, (NY 2nd District)
Tim Ryan, (OH 17th District)
C.A “Dutch” Ruppersberger, (MD 2nd District)
Ben Chandler, (KY 6th District)
Debbie Wasserman Schultz, (FL 20th District)
Ciro Rodriguez, (TX 23rd District)

Minority
Jerry Lewis, Ranking Member, (CA 41st)
C.W. Bill Young, (FL 10th)
Ralph Regula, (OH 16th)
Harold Rogers, (KY 5th)
Frank R. Wolf, (VA 10th)
James T. Walsh, (NY 25th)
David L. Hobson, (OH 7th)
Joe Knollenberg, (MI 9th)
Jack Kingston, (GA 1st)
Rodney P. Frelinghuysen, (NJ 11th)
Roger F. Wicker, (MS 1st)
Todd Tiahrt, (KS 4th)
Zach Wamp, (TN 3rd)
Tom Latham, (IA 4th)
Robert B.Aderholt, (AL 4th)
Jo Ann Emerson, (MO 8th)
Kay Granger, (TX 12th)
John E. Peterson, PA 5th)
Virgil H. Goode, Jr., (VA 5th)
John T. Doolittle, (CA 4th)
Ray LaHood, (IL 18th)
Dave Weldon, (FL 15th)
Michael K. Simpson, (ID 2nd)
John Abney Culberson, (TX 7th)
Mark Steven Kirk, (IL 10th)
Ander Crenshaw, (FL 4th)
Dennis R. Rehberg, (MT At Large)
John Carter, (TX 31st)
Rodney Alexander, (LA 5th)

Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee
Majority
Chair: Alan B. Mollohan (WV)
Patrick J. Kennedy (RI)
Chaka Fattah (PA)
C.A “Dutch” Ruppersberger (MD)
Adam Schiff (CA)
Michael Honda (CA)
Rosa L. DeLauro (CT)
David E. Price (NC)
Dave Obey (WI), Ex Officio

Minority
Ranking Member: Rodney P. Frelinghuysen (NJ)
John Abney Culberson (TX)
Harold Rogers (KY)
Tom Latham (IA)
Robert B. Aderholt (AL)
Jerry Lewis (CA), Ex Officio

Senate Committee on the Judiciary
Majority
Chairman, Patrick Leahy (VT)
Edward Kennedy (MA)
Joseph R. Biden, Jr. (DE)
Herbert Kohl (WI)
Dianne Feinstein (CA)
Russell D. Feingold (WI)
Charles E. Schumer (NY)
Richard J. Durbin (IL)
Benjamin L. Cardin (MD)
Sheldon Whitehouse (RI)

Minority
Ranking Member, Arlen Specter (PA)
Orrin G. Hatch (UT)
Charles E. Grassley (IA)
Jon Kyl (AZ)
Jeff Sessions (AL)
Lindsey Graham (SC)
John Cornyn (TX)
Sam Brownback (KS)
Tom Coburn (OK

Senate Subcommittee on Crime and Drugs
Majority
Joseph R. Biden, Jr., Chair (DE)
Edward Kennedy (MA)
Herbert Kohl (WI)
Dianne Feinstein (CA)
Russell D. Feingold (WI)
Charles E. Schumer (NY)
Richard J. Durbin (IL)

Minority
Ranking Member, Lindsey Graham (SC)
Arlen Specter (PA)
Orrin G. Hatch (UT)
Charles E. Grassley (IA)
Jeff Sessions (AL)
Tom Coburn (OK)

House Committee on the Judiciary
Majority
Chairman: John Conyers, Jr. (MI 14th District)
Howard L. Berman (CA 28th District)
Rick Boucher (VA 9th District)
Jerrold Nadler (NY 8th District)
Bobby Scott (VA 3rd District)
Melvin L. Watt (NC 12th District)
Zoe Lofgren (CA 16th District)
Sheila Jackson-Lee (TX 18th District)
Maxine Waters (CA 35th District)
Marty Meehan (MA 5th District)
William Delahunt (MA 10th District)
Robert I. Wexler (FL 19th District)
Linda T. Sanchez (CA 39th District)
Stephen I. Cohen (TN 9th District)
Hank Johnson (GA 4th District)
Luis V. Gutierrez (IL 4th District)
Brad Sherman (CA 27th District)
Anthony D. Weiner (NY 9th District)
Adam Schiff (CA 29th District)
Artur Davis (AL 7th District)
Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL 21st District)
Keith M. Ellison (MN 5th District)

Minority
Ranking Member, Lamar Smith (TX 21st District)
James Sensenbrenner (WI 5th District)
Howard Coble (NC 6th District)
Elton Gallegly (CA 24th District)
Bob Goodlatte (VA 6th District)
Steve Chabot (OH 1st District)
Dan Lungren (CA 3rd District)
Chris Cannon (UT 3rd District)
Ric Keller (FL 8th District)
Darrell Issa (CA 49th District)
Mike Pence (IN 6th District)
Randy Forbes (VA 4th District)
Steve King (IA 5th District)
Tom Feeney (FL 24th District)
Trent Franks (AZ 2nd District)
Louie Gohmert (TX 1st District)
Jim Jordan (OH 4th District)

Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security Subcommittee
Majority
Chairman, Bobby Scott (VA 3rd District)
Maxine Waters (CA 35th District)
William Delahunt (MA 10th District)
Jerrold Nadler (NY 8th District)
Hank Johnson (GA 4th District)
Anthony D. Weiner (NY 9th District)
Sheila Jackson Lee (TX 18th District)
Martin Meehan (MA 5th District)
Artur Davis (AL 7th District)

Minority
Ranking Member, Randy Forbes (VA 4th District)
Deputy Ranking Member, Louie Gohmert (TX 1st District)
Jim Sensenbrenner (WI 5th District)
Howard Coble (NC 6th District)
Steve Chabot (OH 1st District)
Dan Lungren (CA 3rd District)

NDAA Participation In American Bar Association Projects

In an effort to ensure the involvement of NDAA and the prosecutors it represents in ABA projects, NDAA President Mathias H. Heck, Jr. has made the following appointments:

• Robert Fertitta, former dean of the National College of District Attorneys will serve as the NDAA liaison to the ABA Criminal Justice Section, Ethics Committee;
• Matt Redle, Prosecuting Attorney, Sheridan County, WY, will serve as the NDAA liaison to the ABA Criminal Justice Section, Criminal Justice Standards Committee.

In addition, NDAA will be co-sponsoring the ABA Criminal Justice Section 2007 Fall Conference (November 2, 2007, Washington, DC). President Heck has appointed Robert Fertitta as the NDAA representative on the planning committee.

NDAA Legislative Contacts

On February 2, 2007, NDAA Executive Director, Thomas J. Charron signed the “Restore Justice Assistance Funding in FY 2008” letter. The letter, which supports funding for the Byrne-JAG programs in the FY 2008 spending bill at the authorized level of $1.1 billion, was signed by a coalition of law enforcement organizations and sent to the chairmen and ranking members of the House and Senate Committees on the Budget.

On February 22, 2007, NDAA President Mathias H. Heck, Jr. signed a letter encouraging support of appropriations for the prosecution of cases cleared through the use of DNA backlog grants. The letter was sent to the chairman and ranking member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies.

NDAA advised the Congressional Victims’ Rights Caucus that the association would support H.Res.119, which expresses Congress’s support of the goals and ideals of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week (April 22-28, 2007).