Congressman Stephen F. Lynch today announced that the U.S. House of Representatives has approved $75,000 in federal funding for the construction of a new artificial playing surface and running track at Oliver Ames High School in Easton.  The funding is included in the Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2007.

 

"In our meetings with Chairman Colleen Corona and John Haederle, Irwin Cohen, Charles King and Colleen Less, we were made aware that Easton has a severe shortage of fields for its athletic teams,” said Congressman Stephen F. Lynch.  "That problem has been exacerbated by the ongoing renovations at Oliver Ames High School and East Junior High School.  In response, we reviewed the federal budget for a legislative vehicle that could provide some assistance, and we went to work advocating that Easton was especially deserving of some federal assistance.  It worked.  While this funding is a good start, we realize that we have to do more.  Still, this federal funding will get us started.”

 

Earlier this year, after lengthy discussions with Selectmen Corona, Haederle, Cohen, King and Less, as well as Town Administrator Martha White, Congressman Lynch approached Republican and Democratic leaders on the House Appropriations Committee to formally request federal funding for the new playing field and track.  Congressman Lynch was notified that the funding would be included in the final House version of the bill, which was overwhelmingly approved by the House today, and will now be sent to the Senate for its approval.

 

Lynch added, "Our goal here is to provide the students and families of Easton with a state-of-the-art athletic field that everyone can be proud of.  I am pleased that the House of Representatives recognized the need in Easton and heard the concerns of the Selectmen and School and Recreation Committees, and dozens of sports groups in this worthy effort. This is how the system is supposed to work.”

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