Media

BAKERSFIELD, CA- Congressman Jim Costa (D-Fresno) announced today he will host a grantworkshop to acquaint non-profit organizations and local governments withfederal and private funding opportunities. Agencies providing informationinclude the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Kern CountyCommunity Foundation and the Office of Grants, Research and Sponsored Programsat California StateUniversity, Bakersfield. The workshop will be heldon Tuesday, August 22, at the Kern County PublicService Buildingin downtown Bakersfieldfrom 9:30a.m.

FRESNO, CA - Congressman Jim Costa (D-Fresno) announced todaythat the Corcoran Joint UnifiedSchool District and the city of Corcoran will receive aninvestment grant from the United States Department of Commerce EconomicDevelopment Administration. The grant will be in the amount of $204,660. Thefunds will be used toward planning and designing a vocational training center.

"The development of the vocational center will improve theworkforce of KingsCounty, in return makingthe region more competitive economically," Costa explained.

FRESNO, CA- Congressman Jim Costa (CA-20) announced today thatthe Fresno Unified School Districthas been selected to receive $275,000 in funding under the Development andDissemination Grant Program. The funds will be used towards implementingstandards-based arts in elementary and middle school education.

"Integrating the arts into education is vital to studentslearning experiences. These funds will enable students to improve in academicperformance, creative, and performing skills," Congressman Costa explained.

FRESNO, CA - Congressman JimCosta is seeking local student artists to compete in the Congressional ArtCompetition for the Twentieth District of California.

The competition is opento ninth through twelfth grade students who live in the 20^thCongressional District. The deadline forsubmission of artwork is Friday, February 24, 2006.

Over the summer, thelocal winner will be invited to the ribbon cutting ceremony in Washington, DChonoring the new entries, which are placed on exhibit at the Nation's Capitol.

FRESNO-Congressman Jim Costa, D-Fresno, will hold a press availability today at 1:45p.m. in the main passenger terminal at the Fresno-Yosemite InternationalAirport.

The Fresnolawmaker will be available to comment on his plans for the forthcoming sessionof the 11^0th Congress, the passing of President Gerald Ford andother issues.

Following the press availability, Congressman Costa willdepart for Washington, D.C. where he will be sworn in Thursday forhis second term in Congress.

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WASHINGTON, D.C.-Congressman Jim Costa, D-Fresno, today declared his support for legislationbeing readied for introduction in both the House and Senate aimed at addressingthe shortage of agriculture workers.

WASHINGTON, D.C. -Congressman Jim Costa, D-Fresno, spoketoday on the House floor calling for the passage of H.R. 3, The Stem CellResearch Enhancement Act of 2007. Costa's remarks, as prepared for delivery,follow:

"Mr. Speaker: I rise to speak in support of H.R. 3, whichwould expand stem cell research.

"The narrow view of stem cell research espoused by theAdministration places unrealistic limitations on the medical researchcapabilities of this nation.

WASHINGTON,D.C. - Congressman Jim Costa,D-Fresno, was selected today as chairman of the Subcommittee on Energy andMineral Resources of House Natural Resources Committee.

Costa's selection was announced by Natural ResourcesCommittee Chairman Nick Rahall, D-WV.

Commenting on his Subcommittee chairmanship Costa said, "Ibelieve this will afford us a bipartisan opportunity to address our energyneeds. The Subcommittee will play a role in developing a new direction inreducing U.S.dependence on foreign sources of energy."