Department+of+Justice

  Mil Cimerola and Lauren Carey **Mission of DOJ: ** -To enforce the law -Defend interests of the US based off the law -Ensure public safety against foreign and domestic threats -Provide federal leadership in preventing and controlling crime -Seek just punishment for the guilty/unlawful -Ensure fair and impartial administration of justice for every American

 **The Attorney General: ** -Represents US in matters -Gives advice and opinions to President -Gives advice to heads of executive departments of the Government -Also appears before Supreme CourProxy-Connection: keep-alive Cache-Control: max-age=0 oxy-Connection: keep-alive Cache-Control: max-age=0 oxy-Connection: keep-alive Cache-Control: max-age=0 20(important matters)

-Sworn in as 82nd Attorney General of the United States on February 3, 2009 -Was before the Deputy Attorney General in 1997 -first African American to be named this -Served as U.S. Attorney for District of Columbia -Native of NYC -Graduated from Columbia College in 1973 and from Columbia Law School in 1976 -Lives in Washington, DC with his wife and three children
 * Eric H. Holder, Jr., Current Attorney General**

The DOJ is a federal executive department that was established in 1870. It was made to enforce federal laws, and furnish legal counsel in federal cases. The department has been headed by the U.S. Attorney General, an original cabinet member, and the chief U.S law officer. Before the DOJ, the attorney general had to represent the government in matters and give advice to the executive branch. All of this was under the Judiciary Act of 1789, but since there was no executive department, no one could assist in carrying all of the duties for the office. With the growing need for the administration of law and order, the DOJ was created. U.S. Congressman William Lawrence tried to establish the DOJ, but failed. In 1868, he tried a second time, and a bill called the Act to Establish the Department of Justice was made in 1870 by Congressman Thomas Jenckes. The bill was successfully passed in the House of Representatives and the Senate, was then signed into law by President Ulysses S. Grant on June 22, 1870. It officially started on July 1st.
 * History of the DOJ **:

** The DOJ's Budget ** The President’s budget for the DOJ is $26.5 billion. This money is for the priorities of the President and Attorney General, which includes those for National Security and other crime fighting programs. This is for keeping away financial fraud and to protect the people’s public interest. The Budget also funds the Community Oriented Policing Services program and makes sure prisons and  other detention programs are funded correctly. __**Other causes the money goes towards:**__ -Support states and local law enforcements -Arresting and prosecuting federal criminals -Keeping away the threat of Terrorism Since 2001, the DOJ has been able to transform the FBI in improving the prevention of terrorism. They have also made more than $3 billion in investments in crime-fighting scenarios, and provided over $16 billion to other organizations.



<span style="font-size: 130%; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">** Mil's Articles ** __The Recovery Act__ <span style="font-size: 14px; color: rgb(0,0,0); font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">**Overview of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act)** <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">President Obama signed The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 on February 17, 2009. This was created to help out the economy by creating and saving millions of jobs. It was also made so the government could put down a payment for issues that have been pushed aside so our 21st century could thrive. This act has had a phenomenal response and there has not been one like it since the Great Depression. Besides creating new jobs, the act should enhance energy independence, expandeducational opportunities, preserve and improve health care, provide tax relief, and protect people in need. The act provided billions of dollars to different programs; $2.7 billion to the Office of Justice programs, $1 billion to the Community Oriented Policing Services, $224 million to the Office on Violence Against Women, and $10 million to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. **-Gotten from http://www.usdoj.gov/recovery/ Author: The Department of Justice

I-90 Project at Ellensburg (4/28/09) ** <span style="display: block; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; text-align: right;">The Transportation Department is starting a project on Interstate 90 at Ellensburg. This is the first paving project that was funded by federal stimulus money. The project, four miles long, is being funded by the American Recovery Act and Reinvestment Act, creating 25 new jobs. Washington state has been making websites so that everyone in the state can see where their tax dollars are going. In Spokane County, $10.4 million was received in federal funds for the projects. Gov. Chris Gregoire certified 138 transportation projects, which is now being funded by the Recovery Act. The federal stimulus package is to give $551 million to help pay for the projects. **-Gotten from http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30437907/** **Author: KHQ-TV**

<span style="display: block; font-size: 10pt; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; text-align: left;"> **Schools in 3 States Closer to Getting Stimulus Money (4/28/09)** Within the next few weeks, schools in three states will start to receive much needed federal dollars due to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The U.S. Department of Education approved funding of around $5.5 billion; $4 billion for California, $1.4 billion for Illinois, and $85.4 million for South Dakota. Each state has been struggling for massive education layoffs and with their budgets. The Recovery act has been giving states a lot of freedom with their spending, and how they think it’s most effective. But, there are some restrictions. Other states, Maine, Mississippi, and Utah have been trying to receive money from the Recovery Act, and there is a good chance they will receive it. **–Gotten from []** **Author: Sally Holland Mil's Recommendation to President Obama: ** President Obama, I believe that the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act is a great way to help out each state with their money issues. The money is going towards good causes, like education and construction. It is a good way to know that everyone deserves and can ask for help. Plus, with the downfall of the economy within the past year, having this act creating and saving millions of jobs will save so many people. Jobs are one of the most important things people need to have right now, and this act is helping millions. Hopefully, the act will keep helping people in need. <span style="font-size: 117%; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">**

Lauren's Articles ** <span style="font-size: 90%; font-family: Tahoma, Geneva, sans-serif;"> __<span style="font-size: 120%; font-family: Tahoma, Geneva, sans-serif;">** Fair Housing Groups Document Spike in Housing Complaints ** __ <span style="font-size: 110%; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; msofareastfontfamily: 'Times New Roman'msoFareastFontFamily;"><span style="font-size: 80%; font-family: Tahoma, Geneva, sans-serif; msofareastfontfamily: 'Times New Roman';">The Fair Housing Act was established so no one would discriminate on the basis of race, religion, sex, familial status, disability, or because of their color. This act protects people who are getting a mortgage to buy a property or looking to rent a property. <span style="font-size: 80%; font-family: Tahoma, Geneva, sans-serif;"> <span style="font-size: 80%; font-family: Tahoma, Geneva, sans-serif; msofareastfontfamily: 'Times New Roman';">The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) started keeping track of housing discrimination since 1990. Each year there are more and more complaints filed. NFHA records show that there are many complaints because of the foreclosure crisis. NFHA is providing additional funding for private fair housing organizations, and pushing the Justice Department to fine those companies who discriminate. The Fair Housing Act was formed on April 11, 1968 to educate Americans about the importance of fair housing enforcement, and is celebrated in April. <span style="font-size: 80%; font-family: Tahoma, Geneva, sans-serif; text-align: center; msofareastfontfamily: 'Times New Roman';"> May 4, 2009- Posted by **Corrine Yu** <span style="font-size: 110%; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; msofareastfontfamily: 'Times New Roman'msoFareastFontFamily;">[] <span style="font-size: 110%; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; msofareastfontfamily: 'Times New Roman'msoFareastFontFamily;"> =__ Religious Hiring Discrimination off White House Agenda  __= The Office of Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships is chaired by the Rev. Joshua Dubois and contains many other notable church leaders. The problems that are arising are a result of the current hiring policies that many religious organizations have. They will not hire homosexuals because their faith does not condone homosexuality. <span style="font-size: 8.5pt; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> <span style="font-size: 8.5pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">04/20/2009 //Washington Post//: [|God in Government: Religious Hiring Issue] <span style="font-size: 80%; font-family: Tahoma, Geneva, sans-serif; text-align: center; msofareastfontfamily: 'Times New Roman';"> [] || <span style="font-size: 9pt; color: #000000; line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> __<span style="font-size: 110%; font-family: Tahoma, Geneva, sans-serif;">WORKPLACE DISCRIMINATION: PREGNANCY DISCRIMINATION __    ** <span style="font-size: 110%; font-family: Tahoma, Geneva, sans-serif;"> || The Pregnancy Discrimination Act of 1978 amended the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to protect employees against discrimination. [|Know Your Rights: Pregnancy Discrimination Guide]<span style="font-size: 9pt; color: #333333; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> The National Partnership educates the public about the pregnancy discrimination, the rights that women and men have if they experience pregnancy discrimination and the laws that are there to protect them. In our most recent report on women and the workplace. <span style="font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> || <span style="display: none; font-size: 9pt; color: #333333; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-hide: all;">[] By the
 * President Barack Obama said he would examine the policy that allows religious organizations and churches to discriminate in their hiring, or hires only those people who follow the same religious beliefs. There was a heated debate within the White House faith advisory council, so now the issue regarding the policy has been put on hold. <span style="font-size: 9pt; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">
 * ** <span style="font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">
 * <span style="font-size: 9pt; color: #333333; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">When a woman is fired, asked to take leave, or denied a promotion due to pregnancy, she is being discriminated against.

<span style="font-size: 90%; font-family: Tahoma, Geneva, sans-serif;"> <span style="font-size: 80%; font-family: Tahoma, Geneva, sans-serif;"> <span style="font-size: 110%; font-family: Tahoma, Geneva, sans-serif;"> President Obama, <span style="font-size: 80%; font-family: Tahoma, Geneva, sans-serif;">It’s obvious that we deal with discrimination on a daily basis whether it’s regarding housing, religious beliefs, hiring of women who are pregnant or people with disabilities. I feel it is very important for the present administration to continue with laws that benefit people who are being discriminated upon. It’s so important to update these laws as more complaints come in from people who are being discriminated upon. If these laws were not updated we would have people and businesses throughout The United States who would continue to discriminate because of race, creed, national origin, familial status and so forth.
 * __ <span style="font-size: 90%; font-family: Tahoma, Geneva, sans-serif;">Lauren’s Recommendations for President Obama on how he should proceed:   __**

** Questions ** 1. For the DOJ's Budget, what else does the money go towards? 2. What do you think the most important job of the Department of Justice is? <span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">