Jun 24, 2005

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Nan Gonzalez, Commission District #1, 335-2224
  
FLORIDA SENATORS WORKING TO SECURE $3 MILLION FOR BABCOCK BUY

FORT MYERS, Fla. (June 24, 2005) - Florida U.S. Senators Bill Nelson and Mel Martinez have secured $3 million for the purchase of the Babcock Ranch in the 2006 Commerce, Justice, and Science Appropriations bill.

The Senate Appropriations Committee approved the bill Thursday.

The spending bill funds the Departments of Commerce and Justice, as well as the Small Business Administration, Federal Communications Commission, Federal Trade Commission, NASA, National Science Foundation, U.S. Trade Representative, and the SEC.
 
Included in the bill is $3 million in NOAA Procurement funding to assist the State of Florida in its acquisition of the Babcock Ranch property.  The bill now will go to the full Senate for a vote, followed by a conference meeting with the House of Representatives to reconcile the differences between the respective chambers' bills, after which it will be sent to the President for his signature.

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