9:51am | Long Beach City Councilmembers Gary DeLong and Robert Garcia are in Washington, D.C. today to meet with legislators and lobby for projects like the East San Pedro Bay Ecosystem Restoration Study (or “breakwater study”) and against cuts to the Federal Workforce Investment Act.

DeLong is the chair of the Federal Legislative Committee and Garcia is the Vice-Chair. They will also support appropriations for the restoration of the Colorado Lagoon.

“I am looking forward to meeting with our Congressional delegation to discuss the issues that are important to Long Beach,” DeLong said. “Federal support for the Colorado Lagoon is extremely important as we move towards restoring this citywide asset.”

In a statement, the councilmembers said that the FWIA and Community Development Block Grant Program are important for creating jobs and stimulating the local economy, and that they will lobby against cuts to both programs. It is also clear that funding for the breakwater study is a top priority.

“Long Beach has stepped up to support the Long Beach Breakwater and Ecosystem Restoration study, and now it’s time for Washington to do the same,” said Councilmember Robert Garcia.  “Cleaning our water and restoring our shore will transform our coastline and be an economic boon to the city.”

The councilmembers will meet with Congressmembers Linda Sanchez, Laura Richardson and Dana Rohrabacher, as well as staff from Senator Dianne Feinstein and Senator Barbara Boxer, the Army Corps of Engineers, House and Senate Appropriations staff and more. They will return to Long Beach on Wednesday.

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