Press Release

November 18, 2005

Bishop: Appropriations Bill Funds Critical Projects in Georgia's 2nd District

$36.1 Million for Fort Benning and the Albany Marine Corps Logistics Base

Washington, D.C. Today, Congressman Sanford Bishop, a member of the House Appropriations Committee announced that more than $36.1 million has been earmarked for Georgia's Second Congressional District in the 2006 Military Quality of Life and Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill (H.R. 2528) 

The funding includes $20.961 million for a Combined Arms Collective Training Facility at Fort Benning, where additional funds have been assigned for an infantry platoon battle course, two shoot houses to train both general infantry and special-forces and a squad defense range. The Marine Corps Logistics Base at Albany will also be growing as $5.84 million was assigned for the construction of a combat vehicle maintenance and preservation facility and a much needed satellite fire station.

 "These projects are vital to maintaining and improving our military installations and to meeting our ever expanding mission," said Congressman Bishop. "I am proud to have helped secure this funding, that underscores the important role that both Fort Benning and the Albany Marine Corps Logistics Base play in our nation's defense."

The Military Quality of Life and Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies Subcommittee, of which Congressman Bishop is a member, oversees appropriations for the military quality of life functions of the Department of Defense, military construction, the Department of Veterans Affairs and related agencies.  The conference report, which passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 427 to 0, provides $22.55 billion for medical services for both active duty military as well as veterans and includes $6.21 billion for military construction projects.

"I am proud to sit on the subcommittee responsible for the quality of life of our many brave men and women, who have served and who continue to serve their country in uniform," said Congressman Bishop. "As George Washington once said, the morale of our nation's troops is based on the way we treat our veterans. By increasing funding for veteran's health care, this bill takes a step in the right direction. We must continue on that path."

Following passage by the House of Representatives, H.R. 2528 will now go to the full Senate for passage and then be sent to President Bush for his signature and enactment into law.

2nd District projects included in the Military Quality of Life and Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies Appropriations bill:

Ft. Benning:
Combined Arms Collective Training Facility      $20.961
Infantry Platoon Battle Course       $4.3
Light Infantry Shoot House       $1.25
Special Operations Command Shoot House    $1.7
Squad Defense Range       $2.05
   
MCLB:
Combat Vehicle Maintenance and Preservation Facility  $4.0
Satellite Fire Station        $1.84

Total            $36.101

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