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Press Releases
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| Commuter Connections Free Services Provide Relief from High Gas Prices | |
| There’s a quick and practical remedy for high gas prices: visit CommuterConnections.org to find ways to save money and time getting to work each day. It’s free and easy to register and there are no commitments. | |
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| Leaders Gather for Pedestrian Safety Workshop | |
| Educating motorists and pedestrians, enforcing traffic laws and better engineering of vehicles and roadways are just some of the solutions regional leaders are proposing to help improve pedestrian safety. | |
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| TPB Approves Backup Plan in Case NVTA Funds Aren’t Restored | |
The Transportation Planning Board (TPB) approves backup plan in case NVTA funds aren't restored. |
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| Officials to Public: Region’s Drinking Water is Safe | |
| Experts Discuss Effects of Pharmaceuticals, Other Chemicals on Water Supply at COG Meeting. | |
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| COG helps launch first Litter Enforcement Week | |
 MWCOG Public Safety Policy Committee Chair Terry Seamens of Takoma Park speaks at Litter Enforcement Week kick-off event. |
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| Regional Drought "Watch" Lifted | |
| Citizens, businesses encouraged to continue using water wisely. | |
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| TPB Reacts to Regional Toll Study | |
Regional Value Pricing Study evaluates alternative scenarios for a network of variably-priced lanes combined with extensive express bus services. |
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| COG Questions Construction of Virginia Power Plant | |
| It also released a report cataloging successful programs by area governments to limit greenhouse gases. | |
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| MWAQC Releases New Air Quality Plan | |
New plan targets fine particle pollution in the region. |
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| Rising Pedestrian Fatalities Targeted by Street Smart Campaign | |
 With pedestrian fatalities on the rise in recent years, leaders from the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia launched the Street Smart pedestrian safety campaign. |
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| TPB’s Transportation Land-Use Connections (TLC) Program to Provide Technical Assistance to MD, VA, and DC Projects | |
| The TPB approved eleven projects as a part of its Transportation Land-Use Connection (TLC) program. | |
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| COG Board Endorses “Cool Capital Challenge” | |
| The COG Board endorsed the Cool Capital Challenge effort to reduce greenhouse gases in the National Capital Region. | |
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| COG Counts Region's Homeless Population | |
Survey to be first look at homelessness since region’s housing downturn began. |
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| TPB Approves I-95/I-395 HOT Lanes & I-66 Spot Improvements | |
The TPB approved its 2007 long-range plan, and turned attention to a new list of projects to be considered for 2008. |
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| Montgomery County Council President Michael Knapp to Lead COG Board of Directors | |
 Chair Michael Knapp announced the COG Board policy focus and priorities for 2008 will include growth, housing, and climate change. |
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| COG Board Recommends Licensing Standards for Area Teen Drivers | |
New measures aimed at promoting driver education and strengthening enforcement. |
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| MWAQC Releases New Air Quality Plan for Comment | |
| MWAQC has approved for comment an air quality plan to reduce fine particle pollution in the region. | |
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| COG Moves Greater Washington 2050 Plan Forward | |
| The COG Board approved a work plan for a major new initiative, “Greater Washington 2050,” that will guide regional and Mid-Atlantic development for decades. | |
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| Regional Green Building Standards Approved | |
| The COG Board approved regional “green building” standards for the construction of new government and commercial structures that they hope will be adopted by all local jurisdictions. | |
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| Area Leaders Celebrate COG's 50th Anniversary | |
| Local, state and federal elected officials, along with the area's top business and civic leaders, marked COG's 50th anniversary last night with a special tribute to the organization's many programs and policies that have helped shape the National Capital Region. | |
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| Law Enforcement To Highlight Dangers in Stopping-Distance Demonstration | |
 Regional officials held a demonstration to highlight the need for drivers and pedestrians to pay close attention to one another. |
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| Board Of Directors Endorses Federal Energy Bill Provisions | |
| COG's Board of Directors unanimously approved a resolution today to endorse provisions contained in federal energy bills that would help reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in the region. | |
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| Regional Drought Watch Declared | |
| As unusually dry conditions persist throughout the region, a drought "WATCH" has been put into effect asking residents and businesses to conserve water and help reduce demand on the region's water supply systems. | |
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| COG Encourages Wise Water Use and Promotes Drought Awareness | |
| As temperatures soar and dry conditions are forecasted to persist through August, area residents and businesses are being advised of the importance of water conservation efforts to help alleviate unnecessary demands on the region’s water systems. | |
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| National Capital Region Picks Projects to Fund With Federal Homeland Security Dollars | |
| Local, state and federal leaders announced how they plan to use almost $62 million in anti-terrorism money. | |
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| COG Crime Report Reveals Significant Decrease in Homicides and Motor Vehicle Theft | |
The incidence of violent and property crimes in the region decreased by four percent between 2005 and 2006, according to a report released today by the Board of Directors of the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG). |
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| Commuter Connections Tips Its Hat To Local Employers Who Raise The Bar In Commuter Benefit Programs | |
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| Gerald E. Connolly Receives 2007 Tom Bradley Leadership Award | |
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Gerald E. Connolly, Chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, was presented with the 2007 Tom Bradley Leadership Award at NARC's annual meeting in Orlando. For COG's July NARC newsletter, click here. |
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| COG Survey Shows Slight Decrease in Homelessness | |
| The COG Board approved the seventh annual “Homeless Enumeration for the Washington Metropolitan Region” report, which measures regional homelessness in 2007. | |
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| The Arts in Greater Washington Generate $2.15 Billion In Local Economic Activity and Support 45,000 jobs | |
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| Cost of Housing, Mega-Regions, Energy Use To Define the Next Half-Century | |
| COG brought together top elected officials and business leaders to discuss growth and development during a special forum on the future of the National Capital Region. | |
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| MWAQC Approves New Air Quality Plan | |
| The Metropolitan Washington Air Quality Committee (MWAQC) approved its air quality plan for the region, paving the way for state air agencies to submit the plan to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for approval. | |
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| COG Re-Affirms Support for Metro Dedicated Funding; Thanks Senators for Introducing Legislation | |
| COG re-affirmed its support for a dedicated funding source for the region’s Metro transit system and thanked the U.S. Senators from the region for introducing legislation that will allow this issue to move forward. | |
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| Thousands of Area Cyclists Band Together to Promote Bike to Work Day | |
 Commuters throughout the metropolitan Washington region traded in their cars for bicycles to participate in the annual Bike to Work Day event. |
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| TPB Advances I-95/I-395 HOT Lanes and I-66 Improvements For Region's Long-Range Plan | |
| The TPB voted at its monthly meeting in May to move forward with incorporating new projects into the region's transportation plan, including HOT lanes on I-95/I-395 and spot improvements to I-66. | |
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| Metropolitan Washington's COG Turns 50 | |
| COG marked its 50th Anniversary today during its monthly Board meeting. | |
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| Board of Directors Adopts Major Climate Change Initiative | |
| Montgomery County Council Member Nancy Floreen will chair a new steering committee to guide one of the nation's first regional climate change initiatives to focus on controlling greenhouse gas emissions locally. | |
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| Board of Directors Approves Report on Region-Wide Broadband Access | |
| The COG Board of Directors approved unanimously the COG Broadband Access Task Force report which promotes the development of faster and readily available internet access to strengthen the region’s economy. | |
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| TPB Awards Planning Assistance to Local Jurisdictions under the Transportation/Land Use Connections Pilot Program | |
| The TPB awarded six short-term planning assistance projects to help coordinate transportation and land-use planning in the region. | |
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| COG Board Votes to Support D.C. House Voting Rights Bill | |
| The COG Board of Directors voted to support H.R. 1433, the D.C. House Voting Rights Act. The resolution would grant a vote in the U.S. House of Representatives to the delegate representing the District. | |
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| COG Honors Local Citizens For Service To Animals | |
| The Washington region’s outstanding animal services professionals were honored at the third annual Animal Services Awards program. | |
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| TPB Begins Travel Survey Of 10,000 Area Households | |
| The region's first large-scale household travel survey in more than a decade will help guide future transportation planning as the area continues to grow, the Transportation Planning Board (TPB) announced at its monthly meeting in January. | |
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| Workshops to Explore Housing Incentives for Shorter Commutes | |
| Commuter Connections today launched an initiative to educate businesses on incentives and programs available to help make living near work more practical and affordable for employees. | |
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| Gray, Knapp and Gross to Lead COG Board of Directors in 2007 | |
| The COG Board elected District of Columbia Council Chairman Vincent C. Gray, Montgomery County Council Member Michael Knapp and Fairfax County and Supervisor Penelope A. Gross to head its Board of Directors in 2007. | |
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| D.C. Mayor Anthony Williams Honored as Regional Leader of the Year | |
| At this year’s Annual Meeting, the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG) honored D.C. Mayor Anthony Williams for his leadership and dedication to regionalism. | |
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| New Agreement on Anacostia Watershed and Chesapeake Bay Restoration Signed at COG | |
| COG and the USDA, Agricultural Research Service’s Beltsville Area have signed an agreement to improve cooperation between the agencies on issues related to the restoration of the Anacostia Watershed and the |
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| Connolly Addresses Emergency Plans at Red Cross Annual Meeting | |
| Emergency Preparedness Council Chair Gerald E. Connolly served as the meeting's keynote speaker... | |
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| Air Pollution Has Declined Significantly Since 2003 | |
| The metropolitan Washington area experienced about 44 percent fewer days of air pollution from ground level ozone since 2003 than it did in several preceding years, according to a recent estimate by the Metropolitan Washington Air Quality Committee (MWAQC). | |
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| Report Calls for Measures to Reduce Wildlife Collisions | |
| Local governments should take measures to help drivers avoid tragic collisions with deer and other wildlife, according to a report approved today by the Public Safety Policy Committee (PSPC) at COG. | |
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| NCR’s Emergency Preparedness Council | |
| Today, public, private sector and nonprofit officials from across the National Capital Region adopted a strategic plan for regional homeland security. Click here for more information and download the report. | |
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| Soaring Construction Costs, Limited Tax Revenue for Transportation a Growing Regional Problem | |
| New TPB report finds D.C., Maryland and Virginia gasoline tax revenues are all below the national average... | |
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| Overall Crime Down in Region but Homicides, Robberies Increase | |
| COG Report on Crime and Crime Control details area statistics for 2005... | |
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| Reports Show Population Growing At Slower Pace | |
| New reports show the region’s population and job growth is continuing to climb, although at a somewhat slower pace than in previous years. | |
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| Commuter Connections Employer Awards Announced | |
| George Mason University, Discovery Communications, and the USPS OIG honored for improving their employees commutes. | |
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| Penelope Gross Re-Elected to National Association | |
| COG Board Member Penelope Gross was re-elected unanimously for a second two-year term on the Board of Directors of the National Association of Regional Councils (NARC) during its Annual Conference in San Antonio, TX this weekend. | |
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| Plan for a More Bicycle and Pedestrian-Friendly Region | |
| A new Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan for the National Capital Region will be unveiled during today’s TPB meeting. | |
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| Report Gives Snapshot of Homeless Population | |
| COG's sixth annual Homeless Enumeration Report provides an updated “snapshot” of the region’s homeless population. | |
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| Board Members Lead Homebuilding Team in Biloxi | |
| COG Board Chair and his fellow Arlington County Board Member Barbara Favola recently joined a team of volunteers to help rebuild hurricane-damaged homes in Biloxi, Miss. | |
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| Washington's Biggest Bike to Work Day Ever | |
| Over 6,000 cyclists join in area celebrations... | |
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| Hybrid Vehicles Per Household in Washington Region Double National Average | |
| Region's First 'Vehicle Census'... | |
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| Local Leaders Show Unity on Day Labor Issue | |
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Area officials expressed unity on the benefits of day labor centers and immigration reform during the Regional Day Labor Summit Part II... |
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| D.C. Submits Anacostia Area Plans to TPB | |
| The District of Columbia has submitted one billion dollars worth of new transportation projects to the Transportation Planning Board (TPB)... | |
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| COG Honors Local Citizens for Service to Animals | |
| COG’s Animal Services Committee honored animal control officers, rescuers, volunteers, and others for their outstanding service to animals, animal owners, and their local communities. | |
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| Report Provides Recommendations for MetroAccess | |
A new TPB study says the region’s public transit service for the disabled suffers from several shortcomings that could be remedied with some simple solutions. |
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| TPB: Major Freeway Study Shows Traffic Much Worse Over Past Three Years | |
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| Mobility and Accessibility Study Findings Released | |
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The TPB released preliminary findings of a study illustrating what the region would look like if area officials embraced different land use and transportation plans. |
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| Fisette, Williams and Knapp to Lead COG Board of Directors in 2006 | |
| COG today elected Arlington County Chair Jay Fisette to head its Board of Directors. District of Columbia Mayor Anthony A. Williams and Montgomery County Council Member Michael Knapp will serve as vice chairs. | |
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| COG Kicks Off Metro Funding Effort as State Assemblies Convene | |
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COG will spearhead a new regional effort to aggressively advocate for dedicated funding for the Metro system. |
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| Affordable Housing 'Gift' to Local Governments | |
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During this season of giving, the Washington Area Housing Partnership (WAHP) is distributing a new toolkit to local governments on best strategies for preserving, promoting, and producing more affordable housing. |
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| D.C. Council's Phil Mendelson Honored As Regional Leader of the Year | |
 At this year’s Annual Meeting, COG honored local governments, organizations and individuals for their leadership in addressing the region’s rapid growth and the need for more affordable housing. |
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| COG Day Labor Summit Focuses on Economics | |
 Area officials such as Walter Tejada (Arlington), Will Campos (Prince George's) and Tom Perez (Montgomery) discuss day labor issues at COG summit. |
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| No Code Red Days Despite Summer Heat | |
| Area leaders are pointing out the lack of Code Red days this year as evidence of significant progress in improving air quality in metropolitan |
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| Two Major Transportation Projects Approved | |
| The National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board (TPB) today unanimously approved regional transportation plans that include two major transportation projects: High Occupancy Toll Lanes (HOT) lanes and CapCom. | |
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| Takoma Park Mayor Wins Outstanding Elected Official Award | |
 Takoma Park Mayor Kathy Porter was awarded the 2005 Outstanding Elected Official Award by the National Association of Metropolitan Planning Organizations for her work in transportation planning in the metropolitan area. |
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| COG Presents Post-Katrina Plan | |
| COG presented a new work plan to its Board of Directors today to strengthen regional emergency preparedness and responsiveness. | |
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| Region Preparing for Rita's Energy Impact | |
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| Region Adds Over 350,000 New Residents Since 2000 | |
A new report released today by the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG) shows continued regional growth in population, jobs, federal spending, retail sales and personal income. |
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| Area Officials to Seek Review of Region’s Emergency Plans | |
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| COG Board Forwards Findings to BRAC Commission | |
During its July meeting, the COG Board of Directors adopted the analysis of the regional impacts of the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) Base Realignment and Closure Recommendations. |
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| COG Releases BRAC Analysis | |
The study focuses on the proposed base closings effect on future employment, traffic congestion and air quality in 2010 and 2020. |
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| 2005 Commuter Connections Employer Recognition Award Winners Announced | |
 Commuter Connections recognized five area businesses and local governments for their outstanding efforts in promoting commuting practices that reduce traffic congestion and improve the air quality in the National Capital Region.
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| COG to Study Base Closure Impact on Region | |
| The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG) will examine the potential regional impact of the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) recommendations for the closure, realignment, or expansion of military and defense-related facilities. | |
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| New Programs Help Clean Region's Air | |
| Members of the Metropolitan Washington Air Quality Committee are sharing innovative local programs as part of an effort to help clean the region’s air. | |
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| National Capital Region Celebrates Bike to Work Day | |
 The pouring rain didn’t stop hundreds of dedicated bicyclists from turning out to celebrate Bike to Work Day in Washington D.C., Silver Spring, Arlington—a total of 18 different sites. |
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| Report Gives Snapshot Of Region’s Homeless Population | |
| The Board of Directors of the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG) released the organization’s fifth annual Homeless Enumeration Report, providing an updated “snapshot” of the region’s homeless population. | |
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| New Regional Programs to Help Area's 6,000 Foster Children | |
 D.C. Mayor Anthony Williams, U.S. Surgeon General Richard Carmona and Freddie Mac Foundation President Maxine Baker joined COG to introduce new programs that will increase the number of loving homes available for foster children in the region. |
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| U.S. Congressman Jim Moran addresses TPB | |
| Funding for regional center to improve traffic flow during major incidents included in recently approved House bill. | |
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| Regional Pawn Data Sharing System Among First in Nation | |
 The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG) today introduced a Regional Pawn Sharing Database System that will help recover stolen property and solve crimes in the region. |
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| Crime Statistics Report To Aid Police Departments | |
| A report from the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG) shows the rate of crime declined in 2003 following a rise in 2002. | |
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| Program Supplies Role Models to High-Need Schools | |
| Annually 12,000 new teachers must be recruited to meet the demands of the region’s school systems. The Transition to Teaching Program helps address this by fast-tracking the training for qualified individuals and providing mentor support once they are placed in teaching positions. | |
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