The House Committee on Foreign Affairs passed a resolution sponsored by Rep. Chris Smith (R-Dist. 4) to foster cooperation between governments and Jewish community groups in Europe to counter anti-Semitic violence. The bipartisan resolution “highlights the need for research, training, resources, public awareness campaigns, and communication as part of the fight against anti-Semitic violence,” said Smith in an Oct. 9 press release. He chairs the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe. T... Read more

Lawmakers advocated Wednesday for the Obama administration to keep the U.S. military involved in the hunt for African warlord Joseph Kony. “We trust the administration will decide to continue this worthy effort,” said Rep. Christopher Smith (R-N.J.), chairman of the Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights and International Organizations in the House Foreign Affairs Committee. “The United States and other members of the international community must retain our resolve to captur... Read more

By U.S. Rep. Chris Smith, Chairman of the U.S. Executive-Congressional Commission on China - Washington will roll out the red carpet for President Xi Jinping this week. The honor is unwarranted. While President Obama offers toasts to the Chinese leader, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Liu Xiaobo continues to languish in a dark prison. While President Xi partakes in a lavish reception, human rights lawyers, such as Li Heping and Zhang Kai, are disappeared, detained somewhere in China without access to... Read more

UPDATE: After being stranded in Portugal for four months, Kim and Fred Spratt are finally back in New Jersey. On Sept. 6, they arrived in Teterboro on a medical flight with their premature daughter, Hayden Grace. Unavailable for interview, the family headed straight to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune, where their daughter will remain for an undisclosed period of time. Their journey has been nothing short of mind-blowing. Here is their story. Stay tuned to app.com for updates. K... Read more

By Shari Puterman of the Asbury Park Press - A couple on their "babymoon" in Portugal in May have been stranded there since the premature birth of their twins. Unable to travel commercially because their surviving child required a medical transport not covered by their insurance company, the New Jersey couple will now be returning home. Kim Kirzow Spratt and her husband, Fred, welcomed twins into the world May 10 — 13 weeks before they were due. Since then, one twin has died, and the other remai... Read more

By Trenton Times Staff Writer Cristina Rojas - Recent layoff notices issued to 59 Trenton firefighters will now be rescinded thanks to a new $14 million federal grant awarded to the fire department, U.S. Rep. Chris Smith (R-4th Dist.) announced Friday. The department will get an estimated $13.2 million to retain 59 active firefighters and another $872,900 to hire five entry-level firefighters to make up for expected retirements. The money, which comes from the U.S. Department of Homeland Securit... Read more

By Scott Ketterer, The Trentonian Staff TRENTON - Trenton firefighters slated for layoffs can breathe a sigh of relief thanks to a $14 million grant. A total of 59 firefighters were issued layoff notices that would have been effective in September, but this grant saves those jobs. The grant was obtained through the help of Congressman Chris Smith. “This grant is first and foremost about public safety and about firefighters whose life-saving jobs are slated for elimination,” Smith said in an e-ma... Read more

BY CHRIS SHELDON - A 1.2 mile section of Route 66 will be widened thanks to $12 million in federal funding. Congressman Chris Smith (NJ-04) announced the project this week and stated the project will help ease summer on a highway that sees a crash rate "three times the state average for this type of roadway. "This project is long overdue," Smith said in a release. "And today's progress is a great example of tenacity and a teamwork approach with local, state and federal partners all working toget... Read more

Recent layoff notices issued to 59 Trenton firefighters will now be rescinded thanks to a new $14 million federal grant awarded to the fire department, U.S. Rep. Chris Smith (R-4th Dist.) announced Friday. The department will get an estimated $13.2 million to retain 59 active firefighters and another $872,900 to hire five entry-level firefighters to make up for expected retirements. The money, which comes from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Re... Read more

BY MARYANN SPOTTO, STAR LEDGER STAFF WRITER - For those motorists who have to endure the traffic jams on Route 66 through Neptune Township, help is on the horizon. The state is getting $12 million in federal funding to widen a section of the road that has remained one lane in each direction despite rapid development in the area over the past decade, U.S. Rep. Chris Smith (R-4th Dist.) announced on Tuesday. The 1.2-mile section of the highway slated for widening runs east of the Garden State Park... Read more