By Mark Scott
Buffalo, NY – Congresswoman Louise Slaughter announced yesterday that Congress has approved $16 million in funding for the continued operation of Police Athletic League programs in the nation.
Buffalo's PAL program has a 50 year history and was revitalized by former Mayor Anthony Masiello in 1994. It serves about 2,000 young people in the city.
Slaughter said PAL builds trust between police officers and teens. Slaughter says PAL has a proven track record of reducing juvenile crime.
"If we reach our children while they are young, we can teach them that a law-abiding life is something to aspire to, not to ridicule," Slaughter said.