(WASHINGTON, D.C.) - U. S. Senator Patty Murray (D-Wash.) today announced $106.5 million in the Senate's fiscal year 2003 Commerce Justice State and the Judiciary (CJSJ) Appropriations bill for tribal law enforcement, prison construction, forensics and courts.

The federal funding, which is $11 million more than last year and $51 million more than the President's request, unanimously passed the Senate Appropriations Committee earlier today.

"Given the high crime rates on reservations and the large backlogs facing tribal courts systems, I strongly support increased funding for these important programs," Senator Murray said. "I am pleased the Committee agreed these programs should remain a priority despite the budget deficit and intense competition for resources."

Senator Murray announced funding for the following programs:

$40 million for Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) in Indian Country. Of these funds, $2 million is for tribal judicial systems to assist tribal courts. The Indian COPS program received $35 million last year, and President Bush had proposed $30 million for fiscal year 2003.

$35 million for Indian Country prison construction. President Bush proposed cutting these funds entirely in the fiscal year 2003 budget.

$12.5 million for the Tribal Youth Program.

$8 million for Tribal Courts. The $2 million set aside for Tribal Courts under COPS will will bring the total for tribal judicial systems in this bill to $10 million.

$6 million for the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to create a new Center for Forensic Services in Albuquerque, New Mexico for federal and tribal cases throughout Indian Country.

$5 million for the Indian Alcohol and Substance Abuse program.