Durham, NC - North Carolina Central University Funding Announcement

Today, US Rep. David Price (NC-04) joined North Carolina Central University (NCCU) Chancellor James H. Ammons in announcing federal grants to benefit several programs at the university. Price, a member of the House Appropriations Committee, secured a total of $967,000 in funding for the two initiatives in the FY 05 Omnibus Appropriations bill, which was signed into law late last year.

"These initiatives share one thing in common: a commitment to community," said Price. "NCCU's leaders have taken this commitment and put it into action, working with their neighbors to provide cleaner air, better schools and support for local families."

Details of the initiatives are listed below:

NCCU Environmental Science Program - $843,000.

This grant is part of a continuing research program to determine pollutant exposures and environmental risks in several North Carolina minority and disadvantaged communities.

The Saturday Academy - $124,000.

This program provides academic enrichment and life skills training for at-risk students and their parents, who learn about such topics as literacy, nutrition, and job skills.

"I applaud the efforts of Congressman Price and the Environmental Protection Agency in helping NCCU to secure renewed funding for our program to assess environmental risks in minority communities," said Chancellor James H. Ammons. "Our students are gaining valuable experiences in environmental research and at the same time providing much-needed support to communities that have a strong desire to improve their environment. Through our Saturday Academy, which also received federal funding, we have been able to expand our outreach effort targeted at closing the achievement gap."

At the press conference, representatives both programs spoke publicly about the significance of this federal funding, and students personally attested to the programs' impacts on their lives.

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