Washington, Nov 9, 2005 -

Today the House of Representatives passed the Science, State, Justice, and Commerce Appropriations Conference Report, H.R. 1751. The bill included a request by U.S. Representative John R. Carter (TX-31, Round Rock) for $100,000 for the Central Texas Phoenix House Adolescent Treatment Initiative.

            “The Phoenix House helps troubled youth get back on the right track before it’s too late,” said Carter.  “I have seen too many youth in my courtroom and it is my hope that the Phoenix House will continue to keep them out of the courtroom and off of the streets.”

            The Phoenix Academy in Austin serves Central Texas youth between the ages of 12-17 referred from schools, churches, juvenile departments, social service agencies, and families who have come to know the Phoenix House. Phoenix House is a non-profit drug treatment provider that serves a critical role in helping adolescents from Central Texas get off drugs. If not for the work of Phoenix House, many of these troubled teens will inevitably end up in the criminal justice system as adults.

            The bill will now await President George W. Bush’s signature before becoming law.