HHS recently awarded four institutions across the country $11.8 million in Center of Excellence grants, which over three years will fund training, recruitment and retention of medical students and medical faculty members from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups, the New York Times reports. Last year, Congress had appropriated $33.6 million in grants to 34 centers. HHS Health Resources and Services Administration spokesperson David Bowman said, "It was not our decision," he said, adding, "We go with what we get from Congress." Rep. Joseph Crowley (D-N.Y.), who represents a district with a high minority population, criticized President Bush and Congress for reducing the grant allocation. Crowley has lobbied the House Appropriations Committee to allocate $43 million for Centers of Excellence grants in fiscal year 2007. Bowman said the president's proposed budget for FY 2007 does not include any funds for the Centers of Excellence grants (Fernandez, New York Times, 8/25).