U.S.
Senator Member: Finance, Agriculture, Energy, Ethics and Aging Committees |
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For Immediate
Release Thursday, July 17, 2008 |
CONTACT:Michael Amodeo – 303-249-5286 |
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Sen. Salazar Announces Nearly $700M in Funding for Colorado Military Installations and Veterans' Priorities WASHINGTON, DC - Today, the Senate Appropriations Committee approved the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Bill for Fiscal Year 2009 (FY 09 MilCon-VA). At the request of United States Senator Ken Salazar, the bill includes nearly $700 million for key military construction projects and veterans’ priorities across the state. “Colorado’s military installations make us the center of gravity for our nation’s defense and homeland security,” said Senator Salazar. “The funding in this bill will allow us to move ahead on a number of projects that are vital to our military readiness and to the quality of life of our service members and their families. I am pleased to have helped secure $631 million for Fort Carson to prepare for the return of the 4th Infantry Division and the additional brigades we will be hosting. It also includes funds I requested for the Air Force to buy a parcel of land near NORTHCOM’s headquarters at Peterson AFB, to improve the stand-off between the building and the base’s fenceline. And for Colorado’s National Guard, which plays so many roles in our nation’s defense and in disaster response here at home, I am proud to have helped secure money to build new armories in Grand Junction and Denver.” On funding for the Pueblo Chemical Depot, Senator Salazar said, “I am also pleased by the Committee’s acceptance of my request for continued funding of weapons destruction activities at the Pueblo Chemical Depot. And rest assured that as the effort proceeds, I will continue to push for an expeditious conclusion to weapons destruction and site restoration at the Depot. The citizens of Pueblo, who have waited far too long for an end to this saga, deserve no less.” On the need to build a national veterans cemetery for the Pikes Peak region, Senator Salazar added: “The Committee included language I drafted directing the VA to examine sites south of Colorado Springs as a possible home to a new national veterans cemetery. I am pleased that the bill will help push the VA to recognize that we need two national veterans cemeteries along the Front Range: Fort Logan to serve the Denver area and the northern part of the state, and a Pikes Peak national veterans’ cemetery that serves the veterans and military retirees in southern Colorado.” Below are highlights of specific projects included in the Military Construction and Veterans Appropriations Bill that are critical to Colorado:
$4,950,000 for 23-Acre
Land Acquisition (Peterson AFB) $4,200,000 for Alert
Crew Headquarters (Buckley AFB) $65,060,000 for
Ammunition Demilitarization Facility PH X (Pueblo Chem Depot) Other Military Construction Highlights Include:
National Veterans
Cemetery in Southern Colorado The bill now awaits consideration
by the full Senate. ###
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