March 20, 2006

BILL ON EARLY EDUCATION & CARE PASSES UNANIMOUSLY IN THE HOUSE

Boston, MA— Representative Demetrius J. Atsalis (D- Hyannis) announced today that two of his amendments were included in the Supplemental Budget that has been sent to the Governor’s desk. The amendments will be used to fund two local projects that are vital to the Hyannis community.

The first amendment provides a $75,000.00 matching grant to erect a life-size bronze statute honoring the United State’s 35th President, John F. Kennedy. The statute commemorates the life and memory of the late President John F. Kennedy, and has been commissioned by a noted Cape Cod sculptor. The statue will be located in a prime area at the J.F.K. Museum’s front entrance.

The state grant funding the John F. Kennedy statue comes at a critical time because of the uncertainty over the release of federal money earmarked for the project. Last December Congressman Delahunt’s Office announced that he had secured $100.000 for the project, but no date has been set for the release of the money.

"The passage of the Supplemental Budget couldn’t have come at a better time," Representative Atsalis said. "The matching grant will give the JFK Memorial Statue Committee the resources to pay some of the costs they have incurred from the project. With this funding the Committee can begin to pay the artist, the foundry where the statue will be cast, and the people who supplied the material for the statue, and allow the Committee to once again start planning for the Commemorative Ceremony that had to be postponed."

The second amendment allocates $75,000.00 to the Hyannis Athletic Association. This appropriation will go to fund renovations to McKeon Field, the home baseball field of the Hyannis Mets.

"The Cape Cod Baseball League is a sporting tradition cherished across the nation and is an important part of my local community," Atsalis stated. "Each year thousands of spectators travel from across the country to Cape Cod to watch a Cape Cod Baseball League game. The funding I requested will be used for improvements at McKeon Field to improve player safety and fan comfort."