CONGRESSWOMAN SYLVIA GARCIA ANNOUNCES FEDERAL FUNDING TO HARRIS COUNTY FOR DROWNING PREVENTION PROGRAMS
Media Contact: Karla Rodriguez | Karla.Rodriguez@mail.house.gov | 202-355-8084
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia (TX-29) announces $394,870 in federal funding to Harris County for pool safety and drowning prevention programs.
“I am thrilled to see these much-needed federal dollars coming to Harris County. We must protect our most vulnerable children from drowning, as it remains a prevalent problem in our community. I am proud to have voted for the legislation appropriating these federal dollars, and I look forward to collaborating with Harris County on this initiative,” said Congresswoman Garcia.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, drowning is the second-leading cause of death in children nationwide.Unfortunately, Harris County led the state of Texas in child drownings last year.
Harris County will receive the funds through the Pool Safety Grant Program (PSGP), which provides funds to eligible entities to prevent drowning and pool drain entrapment. These funds will help Harris County meet and increase pool inspection frequencies, partner with pool and spa operators to ensure pool facilities are built according to state standards, and educate and raise awareness for high-risk populations on drowning hazards and prevention methods.
“Drowning prevention remains a top priority of mine in Congress. That is why I continue to push for more federal funding for the Pool Safety Grant Program. I am also a proud cosponsor of H.R.5202, the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Reauthorization Act, which would reauthorize existing drowning prevention and education grant programs,” concluded the Congresswoman.
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Congresswoman Sylvia R. Garcia was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in November 2018, becoming the first Latina ever to represent the Texas 29th Congressional District. She is the Vice Ranking Member of the House Financial Services Committee, the Vice Chair on Housing and Transportation of the House Democratic Caucus Poverty Task Force, and a member of the Select Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government.