US Senator introduces legislation to build more sports facilities for kids, families in Georgia
U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff introduced bipartisan legislation to boost youth sports opportunities for Georgia children alongside U.S. Sen. Todd Young of Indiana.
According to a release from Ossoff's office, the Youth Sports Facilities Act is meant to help build and upgrade sports facilities across Georgia, so families and kids have safe spaces to play while also providing support for student mental health and increasing economic growth.
The legislation would make grants available to youth sports facilities through the U.S. Dept. of Commerce's Economic Development Administration, giving educational agencies, local governments and nonprofits more ways to get funding to create and upgrade sports facilities.
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Ossoff's office said the move would also help grow local economies. Additionally, the legislation prioritizes giving funds to rural communities and paying for projects that serve low-income and underserved communities.
'Georgia families deserve modern and safe sports facilities where their kids can play, grow, and thrive,' Ossoff said in a statement. 'This bipartisan bill will help Georgia communities expand youth sports facilities, strengthen local economies, and foster mental and physical health for the next generation.'
In the House of Representatives, the bill is sponsored by Reps. Bill Huizenga of Michigan and Marc Veasey of Texas.
The YMCA of the United States, the Sports & Fitness Industry Association and Pop Warner Little Scholars have already endorsed the legislation, according to Ossoff's office.
'As the leading nonprofit provider of youth sports programs, YMCA of the USA supports the Youth Sports Facilities Act. Youth sports facilities often lead to growth in local economies as families attend sporting events, support local business, hotels and restaurants. Youth sports programs create a space for families and the community to belong, improve health outcomes and strengthen the fabric of the economy and the community,' Jeffrey Britt, Chief Government Affairs Officer, YMCA of the USA, said in a statement.
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Travel ban may shut door for Afghan family to bring niece to US for a better life
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The Hill
3 hours ago
- The Hill
Travel ban may shut door for Afghan family to bring niece to US for a better life
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Travel ban may shut door for Afghan family to bring niece to US for a better life
IRMO, S.C. (AP) — Mohammad Sharafoddin, his wife and young son walked at times for 36 hours in a row over mountain passes as they left Afghanistan as refugees to end up less than a decade later talking about their journey on a plush love seat in the family's three-bedroom suburban American home. He and his wife dreamed of bringing her niece to the U.S. to share in that bounty. Maybe she could study to become a doctor and then decide her own path. But that door slams shut on Monday as America put in place a travel ban for people from Afghanistan and a dozen other countries. 'It's kind of shock for us when we hear about Afghanistan, especially right now for ladies who are affected more than others with the new government,' Mohammad Sharafoddin said. 'We didn't think about this travel ban.' President Donald Trump signed the ban Wednesday. It is similar to one in place during his first administration but covers more countries. 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I think after 18 years they are going to work, and my daughter is going to be able to go to college,' she said. Family wants to help niece It is a life she wanted for her niece too. The couple show videos from their cellphones of her drawing and painting. When the Taliban returned to power in 2021, their niece could no longer study. So they started to plan to get her to the U.S. at least to further her education. Nuriya Sharafoddin doesn't know if her niece has heard the news from America yet. She hasn't had the heart to call and tell her. 'I'm not ready to call her. This is not good news. This is very sad news because she is worried and wants to come,' Nuriya Sharafoddin said. While the couple spoke, Jim Ray came by. He has helped a number of refugee families settle in Columbia and helped the Sharafoddins navigate questions in their second language. Ray said Afghans in Columbia know the return of the Taliban changed how the U.S. deals with their native country. But while the ban allows spouses, children or parents to travel to America, other family members aren't included. Many Afghans know their extended families are starving or suffering, and suddenly a path to help is closed, Ray said. 'We'll have to wait and see how the travel ban and the specifics of it actually play out,' Ray said. 'This kind of thing that they're experiencing where family cannot be reunited is actually where it hurts the most.' Taliban criticizes the travel ban The Taliban itself criticized Trump for the ban, with leader Hibatullah Akhundzada saying the U.S. was now the oppressor of the world. 'Citizens from 12 countries are barred from entering their land — and Afghans are not allowed either,' he said on a recording shared on social media. 'Why? Because they claim the Afghan government has no control over its people and that people are leaving the country. So, oppressor! Is this what you call friendship with humanity?' Error! 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