Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Daniel K. Akaka (D-Hawaii) welcomed completion of the conference report on the Ronald W. Reagan National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2005. Akaka, a Senate conferee, signed the conference report authorizing $420.6 billion for defense programs in FY 2005 and $25 billion for war-related costs for Iraq and Afghanistan.
The conference report includes a provision authored by Senator Akaka that requires the Secretary of Defense to provide a comprehensive plan to address the severe shortages of personnel, both military and civilian, possessing critical foreign language skills. This is of significant importance given the current military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, particularly as it would lessen the need for the U.S. to outsource essential security positions including interrogators and interpreters.
For FY 2005, Senator Akaka secured $65.9 million in funding for military projects for Hawaii, including $5 million for the continuation of the electrical system upgrade at Hickam Air Force Base, which was a top priority for the senator. The conference report also authorizes $8 million for Saddle Road on the Big Island and $7.5 million for the AEOS Primary Mirror Coating Facility on Maui.
Senator Akaka issued the following statement on provisions in the conference report of particular interest to military members and retirees in Hawaii:
"Through close cooperation and coordination by the members of our delegation, we have provided our military members with the appropriate resources and equipment to successfully accomplish their mission.
"The conference report adds $757 million for force protection gear and combat clothing for our active, reserve and national guard service members, including $435.2 million specifically for individual body armor - which was a specific concern for me as our Hawaii troops, National Guard, Reserves and Active duty, deploy to Iraq and Afghanistan.
"The conference report also includes a provision directing the Secretary to reimburse service members who have purchased any protective, safety, or health equipment for use while deployed in connection with Operations Noble Eagle, Enduring Freedom or Iraqi Freedom. This was very significant to me as I have heard from constituents who were paying for such gear in preparation for their deployment. As the ranking member of the Readiness and Management Support Subcommittee, I was disturbed to hear that our soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines, and their families were having to purchase their own equipment and am pleased that they will be reimbursed.
"I am especially pleased that the conference report eliminates the reduction in Survivor Benefit Plan annuities for retirees who are 62 and older. The conference report authorizes increasing the annuities paid to survivors of military retirees who are 62 and older so that by March 2008, retirees over 62 will receive 55 percent of their annuity. I am also pleased with the progress we have made with respect to concurrent receipt. Retirees rated 100 percent disabled will be authorized to receive full concurrent receipt beginning in January 2005.
"The conference report positively addresses personnel shortages in the Army by increasing active duty end-strength by 20,000 in FY05. I have been concerned and vocal about the impact that the increased operations tempo has had on our troops. It is clear that end-strengths need to be increased."
