The U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) was created in 1984 to assist State, local, and tribal governments to improve the effectiveness of the criminal justice system and to reduce and prevent crime in communities across the Nation. In its annual report to Congress, BJA reports on its activities and programs for fiscal year 2003. In 2003, BJA supported diverse programs that facilitated local criminal justice strategies. It provided support to all 50 States, the District of Columbia, the 5 U.S. territories and local governments, organizations, and agencies. In 2003, under the Edward Byrne Memorial State and Local Law Enforcement Assistance (Byrne) Program, BJA administered nearly $500 million in Byrne formula grants and nearly $150 million in Byrne discretionary grants. In 2003, under the Local Law Enforcement Block Grant (LLEBG) Program, BJA administered nearly $260 million in LLEBG grants making awards to more than 2,900 jurisdictions. Also in 2003, BJA published a document identifying guiding principles, as well as offering a series of promises that have guided their work in the field. This report provides an overview of programs for fiscal year 2003 in the areas of crime prevention, law enforcement, counter-terrorism, adjudication, substance abuse, community and institutional corrections and information technology. Appendixes