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Letter from Jim Henderson:
As you are aware, Cliff and I attended the National Narcotics Officers Association Coalition (NNOAC) Meeting in Washington DC this week. This is a summary of some of our meetings.
At Senator Richard Shelby’s Office Cliff and I met with Mr. Goodloe Sutton and Mr. Ryan Welch. Mr. Welch is the “Legislative Director” for Senator Shelby and Mr. Sutton is staff member that handles all business with the “Committee on Appropriations”. The Appropriations Committee of the Senate is the committee that decides how much money goes where. Senator Shelby is the ranking Republican on this committee and was the Chairman when the Republicans were in control. To demonstrate how high Senator Shelby is ranked, his office is at the very front of the Hart Office Building directly beside the entrance and metal detectors. The meeting went very well. Mr. Sutton stated that the spending bill was expected to be passed by February 15th and that the Byrne-Jag Grant was expected to be funded at approximately $532 million. This is an increase from $317 million from last year. It was also discussed a proposal by President Bush to combine approximately 70 grant programs into 4. Mr. Sutton stated that it sounded good on paper. However, it would actually increase the bureaucratic mess. Both Mr. Sutton and Mr. Welch appeared to be against it. A brief discussion followed concerning the National Guard Counter-Drug Program. They expressed strong support for its continuation. Cliff and I requested follow up meetings with the Senator and/or his staff, and vowed to continue to exchange emails. Cliff also volunteered ANOA and its members as points of contact on any law enforcement issue that may arise.
At Senator Jeff Sessions’ office Cliff and I met with Bradley Hayes, Legislative Counsel for Senator Sessions regarding the Committee on the Judiciary and also the Subcommittee on Administrative Oversight and the Courts. Mr. Hayes was extremely confident in the continuation of the Byrne-Jag Program. He stated that he is in constant contact with Mr. Sutton of Senator Shelby’s Office regarding this issue. Cliff and I requested follow up meetings with the Senator and/or his staff, and vowed to continue to exchange emails. Cliff also volunteered ANOA and its members as points of contact on any law enforcement issue that may arise.
Cliff and I met with Congressman Robert Aderholt and his Senior Legislative Assistant Megan Medley. The Congressman was very positive regarding Byrne-Jag but was unknown as to what the expected funded figure would be. He requested statistics from all of the task forces in his district. He stated by having these figures, he could better fight for its survival. Again, Cliff and I requested follow up meetings with the Congressman and/or his staff, and vowed to continue to exchange emails. Cliff also volunteered ANOA and its members as points of contact on any law enforcement issue that may arise.
Cliff and I met with Jonathan Hand of Congressman Jo Bonner’s office. Mr. Hand stated that the Congressman was very supportive of the Byrne-Jag grant and of the National Guard Counter-Drug program. Ultimately, we had a chance for a photograph with the Congressman and a few moments of his time. Again, Cliff and I requested follow up meetings with the Congressman and/or his staff, and vowed to continue to exchange emails. Cliff also volunteered ANOA and its members as points of contact on any law enforcement issue that may arise.
Cliff and I met with Ms. Leslie Gross Davis, Senior Policy Advisor for Congressman Artur Davis. Ms. Davis advised us that the Congressman has been assigned to the Crime Committee. She reminded us that the Congressman was a co-sponsor of the Byrne-Jag letter last year. She brought the topic of a gang initiative. We expressed the concern that the gang initiative would only be for major cities. The funding would not be for rural areas that are covered by Byrne-Jag. We advised her that gangs make their money from selling drugs and that as long as Byrne was funded, gangs would be combated in the rural areas. We also stated that being in a gang is not illegal. It is the criminal acts committed by the gangs that are illegal, i.e.: drugs and guns!! She seemed to really understand the point made. Again, Cliff and I requested follow up meetings with the Congressman and/or his staff, and vowed to continue to exchange emails. Cliff also volunteered ANOA and its members as points of contact on any law enforcement issue that may arise.
Cliff and I met with a Ms. Jacquelynn Kanatzar Congressman Mike Rogers’ Office. Ms. Kanatzar was very kind and supportive of our causes. Later, at a reception held on Capital Hill to recognize Maryland Congressman Elijah Cummings, Ms. Kanatzar introduced Cliff and I to Mr. Michael Russell, Staff Director on the Subcommittee on Management, Integration, and Oversight. Mr. Russell was very generous and supported our causes. Cliff volunteered ANOA and its members as points of contact on any law enforcement issue that may arise to Mr. Russell.
Cliff and I also met with Ms. Julie Barkemeyer of Congressman Bud Cramer’s Office. She was very supportive of our causes. Again, Cliff and I requested follow up meetings with the Congressman and/or his staff, and vowed to continue to exchange emails. Cliff also volunteered ANOA and its members as points of contact on any law enforcement issue that may arise.
Cliff and I also met with Jason Britt of Congressman Spencer Bachus’ Office. He was very supportive of our causes. Again, Cliff and I requested follow up meetings with the Congressman and/or his staff, and vowed to continue to exchange emails. Cliff also volunteered ANOA and its members as points of contact on any law enforcement issue that may arise.
Finally, Cliff and I met with John Perry of Congressman Terry Everett’s Office. He was very supportive of our causes. Again, Cliff and I requested follow up meetings with the Congressman and/or his staff, and vowed to continue to exchange emails. Cliff also volunteered ANOA and its members as points of contact on any law enforcement issue that may arise.
The first two weeks of April, Congress will adjourn to conduct business in their home states. During this time, I would like the help of members in attending follow up meetings with our Congressman and Senators. If anyone is interested in assisting me, I would greatly appreciate it. I would specifically like to have any of the Task Force Commanders attend the meetings. I would also request having all statistics for 2006 from the Task Forces by these meetings.
The last figure we were told regarding the Byrne-Jag grant was $519 million. Byrne-Jag is alive and well! Thanks should go out to President Ron Brooks and the NNOAC on their leadership of this issue. We will continue to fight. We have other issues beside Byrne-Jag.
Thank you for the opportunity to serve as the ANOA Southern Vice President.
Jim Henderson |
