For Immediate Release:

Wednesday, June 9, 1999

(Washington, DC) -- Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-Wash.), the senior Democrat on the Military Construction Appropriations Subcommittee, secured $56 million for several key military projects at Fort Lewis and McChord Air Force Base, including $28 million for the Yakima Training Center and Armory. These funds were secured in the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction. The military construction appropriations bill will provide more than $122 million for Washington state defense installations.

"Funding the Yakima Armory and Readiness Center is an important federal recognition of the work done by the Yakima community and the Army National Guard," said Murray. "This project is an important step in a statewide effort to respond to natural disasters and other emergencies."

Senator Murray secured funding for the following projects at the Yakima Training Center and in the Yakima area:

Tank Trail Erosion Mitigation - Senator Murray secured $12 million to continue this multi-year project to mitigate impact on surface water quality, soil erosion, vegetation and wildlife at the training center.

Mobilization and Training Equipment Site, Phase I - Senator Murray secured $16.3 million to begin construction of a maintenance facility for wheeled and tracked vehicles at the Yakima Training Center to support weekend and annual training by Army National Guard units.

Yakima Armory and Readiness Center - Senator Murray secured $600,000 to fund the planning and design of the project. The Armory will replace a condemned facility and will house 254 Guard soldiers.

The Senate Appropriations Committee will approve the military construction funding bill later this week. The full Senate is expected to consider this legislation as early as next week.