High profile military installations like the Anniston Army Depot and Maxwell Air Force Base near Montgomery as well as economically vital agriculture interests in Alabama’s Third District got a boost today as freshman Congressman Mike Rogers (R-Anniston) secured key Armed Services and Agriculture committee assignments from congressional leadership.
 “I’m ecstatic that Speaker Hastert kept his promise from the campaign and appointed me to the Armed Services Committee,” Rogers said, wrapping up a successful first week in Washington. “I’ll also be able to continue the tradition of helping agriculture and rural development in East Alabama by helping create jobs in one of the largest economic components in the state.”

 Jesse L. Poor, Deputy to the Commander of the Anniston Army Depot, made it clear Rogers’ Armed Services assignment was vitally important to securing the thousands of jobs at the Army facility.

 “It’s absolutely critical that Mike is on Armed Services,” Poor said. “It puts us in a critical position especially in regards to the upcoming round of BRAC hearings,” he added, referring to the House Base Realignments and Closures Commission, which decides the fate of military installations.