FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 16, 2004

Funding included in Department of Defense Military Construction Appropriations Bill approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee

Washington, DC - Senators Charles E. Schumer and Hillary Rodham Clinton announced today that a Senate panel had given preliminary approval for $6.2 million for a Military Entrance Processing Station and $702,000 requested the for the planning and design of a Fire Crash Rescue Station, both to be located at the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station.

The news came as the Senate Appropriations Committee approved the FY 2005 Department of Defense Military Construction bill yesterday afternoon. With the bill’s passage by the Senate Appropriations Committee, the bill will now be sent to the Senate floor. The bill must then go into conference with the House version before being approved by Congress.

“These projects are a win-win scenario for Niagara Falls by providing a greater investment in the facility and by improving conditions for the men and women who serve there,” said Senator Schumer. “By providing funding for the Military Entrance Processing Station this bill will help to ensure that more individuals can apply to serve their country quickly and efficiently. The inclusion of funds to support the Fire Crash Rescue Station represents a strong step toward completing a number of projects to improve and strengthen the base for the future. This funding, combined with plans to build a new Visiting Airman's Quarters, is part of a strong effort to ensure the future of the Station.”

“I am pleased that the Department of Defense Military Construction bill contained $6.2 million for a new Military Entrance Processing Station for the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station and appreciative that the Appropriations Committee recognized the value of the fire crash rescue station,” Senator Clinton said. “The authorization of these projects, combined with the recent commitment by the Department of Defense to accelerate funding for a Visiting Airman’s quarters, is a significant vote of confidence in the Air Reserve Station’s future and makes a strong case for full funding for the projects in the conference process.”

Earlier this year Senators Schumer and Clinton, along with Representative Slaughter and Representative Reynolds, secured a commitment from outgoing DOD Comptroller Dov S. Zakheim to accelerate funding for the Visiting Airman’s Quarters.

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