with that, the edward byrne memorial just tis grant program was established. and quickly became a cornerstone, federal crime prevention and crime fighting programs. enabling communities to target resources, to their most pressing local needs. the inherent flexibility of the program allows state and local communities to address the needs and fill in gaps created in the criminal justice system but since fiscal year 10 the byrne program has been reduced by 1/3, causing serious restriction in reach of the byrne jack funded programs across states and territories. if additional reductions are made successful programs will be pulled from the field partnership with the federal state, local, tribal law enforcement will be further weakened. hundreds of communities will lose a range of critical grant funding and their public safety will be compromised. i hope task force will be endorse the program and keep funding at fully funded level. i would like to endorse testimony later today by chuck wexler. with respect to the importance of open communication and mutual respect b