One of the earmarks in Walz's list released last week was for this:
National Child Protection Training Center at Winona State University. The center trains social workers, teachers and health-care professionals to recognize and report signs of child abuse.
Today the Winona Daily News reports that a Senate committee has approved money for the project:
A U.S. Senate committee on Thursday approved a bill that includes $600,000 for the National Child Protection Training Center at Winona State University, according to representatives of Senators Norm Coleman and Amy Klobuchar.
The WDN provides some history behind the center's funding:
The state Legislature last year committed $11.2 million for the renovation of Maxwell Hall, which houses the center. The remodeling will provide new classrooms and a mock courtroom so that child advocacy majors at Winona State will be able to get experience following a mock case from the beginning an investigation through the trial, Mikkelsen said.
In 2005, the center was about to close its doors after federal support dwindled. But with ongoing funding from Congress and donors, the center has been able to stay open and receive support to expand.
One might call it pork, but it looks close to one of the government's central missions to us: securing the safety of citizens. It's good to see the state's senators and the district's congressman support a project together.
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