U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin
Press Release

U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Cosponsors Bipartisan Legislation to Safeguard JCCs and Other Faith-Based Community Centers

On Monday, Senator Baldwin visited JCC Milwaukee, which has faced multiple bomb threats this year

By - Mar 1st, 2017 11:50 am
Harry & Rose Samson Family Jewish Community Center

Harry & Rose Samson Family Jewish Community Center

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin has cosponsored bipartisan legislation to ensure the Department of Homeland Security provides state and local law enforcement with adequate resources to protect faith-based community centers across the United States.

Amidst bomb threats against JCC Milwaukee and Jewish community centers across the country, and the recent spike in anti-Semitic incidents in America, Senator Baldwin voiced concerns and the need for action to combat and prevent hate crimes. On Monday, Senator Baldwin visited JCC Milwaukee to discuss the recent bomb threats with JCC staff, families and local leaders.

“We must stand with JCC Milwaukee, Jewish community centers across the country and the international Jewish community,” said Senator Baldwin. “This bipartisan legislation will help community centers in Wisconsin and across the country continue to educate young Americans, provide vital wellness services and build stronger, more compassionate communities in safety.”

The legislation would provide $20 million in additional funding to the Department of Homeland Security under the existing State Homeland Security Grant Program specifically dedicated to safeguarding faith-based community centers. Additionally, it would double the federal penalty against making fake bomb threats from five years to ten years.

The bipartisan legislation was introduced by Senators Martin Heinrich (D-NM) and Dean Heller (R-NV) and is supported by the Jewish Community Center Association (JCCA), the American Israel Public Affairs Committee and J Street.

An online version of this release is available here.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.

Mentioned in This Press Release

Recent Press Releases by U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin

Baldwin Announces $4.9 Million to Protect and Restore Wisconsin’s Coastal Habitats

Funding from Baldwin-backed Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will increase resilience to climate change and extreme weather events

Leave a Reply

You must be an Urban Milwaukee member to leave a comment. Membership, which includes a host of perks, including an ad-free website, tickets to marquee events like Summerfest, the Wisconsin State Fair and the Florentine Opera, a better photo browser and access to members-only, behind-the-scenes tours, starts at $9/month. Learn more.

Join now and cancel anytime.

If you are an existing member, sign-in to leave a comment.

Have questions? Need to report an error? Contact Us