Media

Fresno, Calif. –Congressman Jim Costa released the following statement today on the announcement that Rep. Dennis Cardoza will retire at the end of the 112^th Congress:

Washington, D.C. – Rep. Jim Costa reintroduced bipartisan legislation to honor the service of Hmong veterans in the Valley and nationwide. The legislation would extend burial benefits in National Cemeteries to Hmong veterans who fought with and supported U.S. forces during the Vietnam War era.

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Jim Costa (D-Calif.) voted Wednesday evening in support of trade agreements with Korea, Panama, and Colombia that will help the United States better compete globally. The House also approved legislation with Costa's support to extend the Trade Adjustment Assistance Act (TAA), which provides benefits to workers impacted by the possible adverse effects of trade expansion.

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Jim Costa (D-Calif.) announced that the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) approved $92 million for the construction of the Fresno Veterans Home. Final approval of the funding was delayed due to state budget cuts that prevented the California Department of Veterans Affairs (CDVA) from honoring several provisions in the initial grant agreement signed by the state in March.

Washington, D.C. – Reps. Jim Costa (D-Calif.) and Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) introduced legislation today to give relief to livestock producers, dairymen and consumers. The bipartisan legislation will link the amount of corn ethanol required to fulfill the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) to the actual U.S. corn supply.

Fresno, Calif. - Congressman Jim Costa (D-Calif.) announced that the Fresno Unified School District has received nearly $400,000 in federal funding from the U.S. Department of Education to expand counseling programs at four high-need elementary schools. The grant will enable the school district to expand and enhance the Safe and Civil Schools program, a school-wide and classroom-based program, to improve the safety and social behavior of students.

Fresno, Calif. - Congressman Jim Costa (D-Calif.) announced that the Kern County Superintendent of Schools (KCSOS) has received more than $500,000 in federal funding from the U.S. Department of Education to implement the "Kern Kids Get Moving!" project. The project is designed to help Kern County students meet state standards for physical education and will serve to promote and encourage lifelong eating habits. The project will target youth at the KCSOS Valley Oaks Charter School, Alternative Education Programs and five after school Migrant Education programs.

New police officer to join the force

Fresno, Calif. - Congressman Jim Costa (D-Calif.) announced that the Parlier Police Department will hire a new police officer for three years thanks to a $244,057 grant from the U.S. Department of Justice's Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS). Parlier was one of only 23 law enforcement agencies in California to receive the COPS Hiring Program grant.