| For Immediate Release | For more information contact: |
| March 8, 2002 | Sandra Whalen (651-296-5529) |
(St. Paul) -- A Minnesota House committee approved a plan this week to allow Minnesotans to buy a patriotic "United We Stand" license plates that help fund anti-terrorism efforts.
"We've all been affected in one way or another by the attack on our country, and have tried to help out in our own way," said Rep. Rich Stanek (R-Maple Grove), chairman of the House Judiciary Finance Committee and sponsor of the proposal. "We've put a lot of work into setting state priorities and squeezing dollars out of the state budget for vital crime-fighting tools for emergency workers. This is an innovative way of bringing together citizens who want to show their support for our country with a non-profit charitable organization designed specifically to raise funds for justice programs."
The Rewards for Justice Fund was authorized by the US State Department and endorsed by Congress. It delivers 100 percent of the money to the State Department's Rewards for Justice Program, which combats terrorism by using reward money to get information and locate wanted terrorists. The program has been operating since 1984, but expanded its public efforts following the Sept. 11 attacks.
Stanek said the $25 fee would raise $2.5 million a year to be split between Minnesota anti- terror efforts and national Rewards for Justice bounties on terrorists.
Stanek, with state lawmakers from around the country, is touring the "Ground Zero" site in New York City this weekend. The group is sponsored by the National Conference of State Legislators and gives state leaders an opportunity to meet and discuss their own anti-terrorism efforts, which also include the license plate program.
Thirty other states are adopting similar license-plate programs. A website for the organization can be located at : www.RewardsFund.org.
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State Representative Rich Stanek is the chairman of the House Judiciary Finance Committee and a Minneapolis Police Inspector. He is currently in his fourth term representing Maple Grove and Osseo, Minnesota. If you would like session updates from State Representative Stanek via email, you can sign up at his official House webpage (www.house.mn/33B). He also be reached by phone at 651-296-5502; by writing at him at 100 Constitution Avenue, St. Paul, MN, 55155; or via email at: rep.rich.stanek@house.leg.state.mn.us. A headshot of Rep. Stanek is available at on his website.