WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Humane Society on Wednesday presented Congressman Sam Farr (D-Carmel) with an award for his leadership on animal protection legislation in 2009.

“Even as Congress and the president work to address our economic woes, we must find time to support those issues that define us as a society,” Rep. Farr said. “We can’t overlook the widespread abuse that occurs in puppy mills across the country, and we can’t ignore the declining number of sea otters off our coast. These are important issues too, and I’m proud to support them.”

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The League of Conservations Voters this week awarded Congressman Sam Farr (D-Carmel) a perfect 100 percent rating on its annual National Environmental Scorecard.

The scorecard is used by the group as a yardstick to rate members of Congress on environmental, public health and energy issues.

Washington, DC – The League of Conservations Voters (LCV), which works to turn environmental values into national priorities, today released the 2009 National Environmental Scorecard. For 30 years, the National Environmental Scorecard issued by LCV has been the nationally accepted yardstick used to rate members of Congress on environmental, public health and energy issues.

(Washington, D.C.)—Federally Employed Women (FEW) has released the results of its scorecard for the first session of the 111th Congress. “We want to send a heartfelt and grateful thank-you to Rep. Sam Farr (CA-17) for scoring 100% on the Scorecard and we certainly appreciate all his support of federal workers in general and federally employed women in particular,” announced Sue Webster, FEW’s National President.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Sam Farr (D-Carmel) on Tuesday announced that nearly $700,000 has been awarded to the Central Coast by the Emergency Food and Shelter Program.

The following counties will receive funds:

Monterey County: $384,153
San Benito County: $52,130
Santa Cruz County: $247,789

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Sam Farr (D-Carmel) on Wednesday introduced legislation aimed at increasing the amount of fruits and vegetables in school breakfasts and lunches. The bill includes several strategies that will improve health and limit obesity among America's schoolchildren.

Provisions included in the Children's Fruit and Vegetable Act, H.R. 4333:

USDA will implement a plan to increase the amount of fruits and vegetables purchased for school feeding programs.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The fiscal year 2010 omnibus appropriations bill awaiting President Obama's signature includes $496 million for the Base Realignment and Closing Legacy Account for bases shuttered prior to 2005.

The funds represent an increase of $38 million over fiscal year 2009 ($458 million), but a decrease of $40 million from the $536 million the House Appropriations Committee was seeking.

Congressman Farr released the following statement:

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Sam Farr (D-Carmel) on Tuesday attended a press conference announcing the introduction of Comprehensive Immigration Reform for America's Security and Prosperity Act, a bill introduced by Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-Ill.).

The legislation, known as the Comprehensive Immigration Reform ASAP Act, is aimed at putting immigration on the front burner for 2010.

Following introduction of the bill, Rep. Farr released the following statement:

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Omnibus Appropriations Act that passed the House on Thursday included science, education and transportation projects for the Central Coast.

"These funds are very important to our region, helping solidify our place as a world class ocean research hub and boosting our tourism revenue base," said Rep. Farr. "I'm excited that these important programs received funding in yesterday's bill."

Among the local projects in the bill:

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Farr on Thursday voted with colleagues to pass a major funding bill that provides money for many key federal agencies as well as several Central Coast programs. The bill approved by a vote of 221-202.

"This bill funds some very important programs right here on the Central Coast, including anti-gang and gang prevention initiatives and a host of projects to boost our local economy," said Rep. Farr, a senior member of the powerful House Appropriations Committee.

Among the local projects in the bill were several anti-violence programs: