Mayor Ralph V. Suozzi has announced that his lobbying efforts in Washington, D.C. have successfully passed through the critical first step of the federal spending process in which the House and Senate Appropriations Committees draft the individual spending bills and earmark lists for the fiscal year 2008.

Mayor Suozzi said, "All three members of the New York Congressional Delegation are full partners in supporting Glen Cove's revitalization efforts. This week I received a joint call from staff members of both Senator Charles Schumer and Senator Hillary Clinton. That same afternoon, Congressman Peter King called me personally from his Washington office with a continuation of this great news."

Senators Schumer and Clinton announced that a key senate panel approved $1 million for the new Glen Cove Ferry Terminal that will enhance transportation service, reduce traffic congestion, accommodate commuters, stimulate recreational services, and will be built to conform to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) GreenBuilding Standards.

"This funding is a big win for Glen Cove and all of Long Island," said Senator Schumer. Senator Clinton commented, "This is welcome news for Long Island. By providing residents and visitors with alternative modes of transportation, we can help ease congestion, and help the environment as well."

Congressman Peter King requested $900,000 for the City of Glen Cove Ferry Terminal engineering and construction, which was also approved by the appropriations committee. "Given the budget constraints currently facing Congress, securing these funds is a victory for the City of Glen Cove," said Rep. King. "I made funding for this project a priority, and am pleased that my request was honored." Rep. King also provided support for $190,000 for the Glen Cove Police Technology Project, and $100,000 for the design of Phase II of the Connector Road Project. "I am proud to support Mayor Suozzi's plans for revitalization, especially one like the ferry which will help boost the economy through tourism, while reducing congestion to promote a cleaner environment. It's a win-win situation," said the congressman.

Also included is a $350,000 reimbursement to the City of Glen Cove in both the Senate and house Energy & Water Development Appropriations legislation. In 2006, the City of Glen Cove loaned the Army Corps of Engineers $350,000 to allow the complete dredging of the remainder of Glen Cove Creek in conjunction with the already scheduled EPA dredging project. "If Glen Cove had not been prepared to make this loan, the EPA and the Army Corps of Engineers would have needed to remobilize to dredge the Glen Cove Creek at a later date and a much higher cost to the federal government," said Mayor Suozzi. "By stepping up to the plate and loaning this money, Glen Cove enabled the Army Corps and the EPA to combine the two dredging efforts into one project and continue our forward momentum on revitalizing the Glen Cove Creek area." The legislation lists Senator Schumer and Congressman King as the members responsible for this specific funding request.

"I am extremely pleased that my administrations' lobbying efforts are doing very well and I am confident that our continued presence in Washington will provide Glen Cove with much-needed federal funds," said Mayor Suozzi. "I am also very thankful to Senator Schumer, Senator Clinton and Congressman King and their respective staffs for helping Glen Cove and working diligently behind the scenes to keep us in the forefront for these yearly federal spending bills."