United States Senate November 2, 2018, ‘The Honorable Richard Shelby The Honorable Rodney Frelinghuysen Chairman Chairman Committee on Appropriations Committee on Appropriations ‘United States Senate United States House of Representatives $-128, The Capital 11305, The Capitol ‘Washington, DC 20510 Washington, DC 20515 ‘The Honorable Patrick Lealy ‘The Honorable Nita Lowey Viee Chairman Ranking Member Committee on Appropriations Committee on Appropriations United States Senate United States House of Representatives S-146A, The Capitol 1016 Longworth House Office Building Washington, DC 20510 ‘Washington, DC 20515 Deat Chairman Shelby, Chairman Frelinghuysen, Ranking Member Leahy, and Ranking Member Lowey: We write today to request your support to fully fund the Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) ata level of $60 million as you finalize the Fiscal Year 2019 (FY19) Homeland Security “Appropriations bill. The NSGP plays a ertical roe in providing vital physical security enhancements to religious-hased nonprofit organizations at high risk of terror atacks, Since its inception, numerous synagogues, churches, mosques and other places of worship across the State ‘of New Jersey have benefited from security upgrades awarded through the NSGP. Last week's tragic attacks, one atthe Tre of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh, and the other, an attempted shooting atthe First Baptist Church in Jeffersontown, Kentucky are the latest reminders that programs like the NSGP are essential safeguards to mitigate such violence. Now isnot the time { cut back funding forthe NSGP, but rather isa chance fo redouble our efforts to prepare and protect our local communities fom hate erimes and violence. In recent years, our country has experienced a shameful increase in biastelated incidents and attacks. The Anti-Defamatien League (ADL) found thatthe number of anti-Semitic incidents in the United States rose by ST percent in 2017, representing the largest single-year increase on record, and the second highest number reported since 1979.! Similaty, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) reported that hate crimes rose about $ percent in 2016, with notable increases inattacks motivated by bias against blacks, Jews, Muslims and members ofthe LGBTQ community.” As we are reminded by the recent attacks in Pennsylvania and Kentucky, too often "2017 Audi of AatSemte ldots” An Defamation League, February 27,2018, peo ad ortesurcesepts/01-alofantemecents 2016 Hae Chime Stats: Vii,” Federal Berea of eliotn, November 13,2017, ans hse 8 governs 20 ston pases vtinethe institutions atthe core of our communities ~ synagogues, churches, mosques, and other religious centers —are the trgets of this hatred. ‘As a result, we are greatly concemed thatthe Senate Commitice on Appropriations has only "approved $35 million in furding forthe NSGP in their FY19 Homeland Security Appropriations bill In contrast, the House Committee on Appropriations has appropriated $60 million forthe NSGP in theie FY19 bill, whichis consistent with the amount appropriated last year. Moreover, as you may be aware, we joined 28 of our Senate colleagues in writing to the Senate Committee fon Appropriations on Apzil27, 2018 in support of robust funding for federal preparedness grant programs, including the Urban Area Security Initiative (UASD, State Homeland Security Grant Program (SHSGP), and the Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP). We respectfully urge you to filly fund the NSGP at east atthe level of $60 million approved by the House Committee on Appropriations for FY19, ‘We ate grateful forthe committce's strong suppor for preparedness programs in previous years, ‘which has helped fund important security enhancements at religious institutions and nonprofit organizations across New Jersey. In FY18, New Jersey was awarded $7,993,000 through the State Homeland Security Program, $22,750,000 through the Urban Area Security Initiative (WAS!) for the Jersey City/Newark Region, and $8,388,505 through the Nonprofit Security Grant Program. Additionally, New Jersey was awarded $296,425 for nonprofit organizations located outside of FY18 UASI designated high-risk urban areas, For communities and congregations at a high-risk ofatack, these investments ~ security cameras, ead aceess readers, blast film, lighting, fencing, bollards, and more ~ can mean the difference between uncertainty and peace of mind. Aside flom protecting our vulnerable religious institutions through the NSGP, UAST funding has also provided vital training for New Jersey law enforcement and first responders, ensuring that in the event of ateror attack, our responders are well prepared ‘New Jersey alone has unfortunately experienced a disturbing number of anti-Semitic incidents and other hate crimes in recent years that make these preparedness investments vial forthe safety of our communities. In 2016, the latest data available, New Jersey State Police reported 417 bias incident offenses across the state, «14 pereent increase from 2015.’ Ther repot also ‘ound tat lack New Jerseyans were the most frequently targeted racial group, and Jewish New Jerseyans were the most targeted religious group. In just the past several weeks, there have been reports of anti-Semitic grafiti in Scotch Plains and Hampton Township, as well asthe disteibution of anti-Semiticand racist fiers supporting the Ku Klux Klan in Cherry Hil Inthe {ace ofthis hatred, we mustdo all we canto support our religious communities from extremist, and ensure they have all neessary protections. 5 SP. Sulvan, “Hat crime compli ar yp in NJ afer gong down for year,” AU.com, March 28,2018, nus. com/poliisindes.20180 rpore_hate_< {igh School Defaced With Rais, Ant-Semie Graft” associated Press, Oder 8, 2018, nine asnes som/nwaest-aes ney eee aiciev2018-1D.-ORhigh-shooldfacs-wih-ais-ntie eit; Taylor Tiaoyo Har “Home of Congress's supporter vandalized Wi swash, anemic rf" Aco, Seplember 22018, hs war som sussex unvindessef20180%conarcstnas ome vaalize! wit an-semii_ and nl anemic And Rass KK Flets Dropped ln Cherry Hil, New Jersey," Jewih Telegraph Agency, October 15, 2018, psiewishweek mesial com sn-smiie-and racist kk lee-droped-h-chany-hil-new-ee,‘As you finalize the Fiseal Year 2019 Homeland Security Appropriations bill, we once again respectfully request your support for a robust appropriation of no less than $60 million forthe SGP. We look forward to continuing to work with you to strengthen the NSGP program and ensue it receives an appropriation that reflects the threat environment that our communities face. Thank you in advance for your time and attention to this request, and your continued support for these federal preparedness grant programs, Sincerely, Cory A. Booker United States Senator United States Senator