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For Immediate Release Contact: Betsy Hart
September 24, 2008 (202) 226-8555

HERSETH SANDLIN HELPS PASS ESSENTIAL DEFENSE FUNDING

Bill Includes funding for South Dakota National Guard, Ellsworth Air Force Base

September 24, 2008-Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a consolidated appropriations bill that includes funding for numerous defense-related and military construction projects in South Dakota. The Consolidated Security, Disaster Assistance and Continuing Appropriations Act, which passed with Rep. Herseth Sandlin’s support, includes Defense, Military Construction and Homeland Security Appropriations bills for Fiscal Year 2009 while continuing to fund other federal agencies at Fiscal Year 2008 levels until March 6, 2006.

“Providing world-class facilities and equipment for our men and women in uniform is in the best interests of our national defense and ensures that when these brave individuals choose to serve, they are prepared to successfully and safely complete missions at home and abroad,” Rep. Herseth Sandlin said. “The levels of funding provided in this legislation demonstrate the critical role South Dakota’s military institutions, universities, and private organizations play in our country’s overall security strategy.”

Military Construction Projects Requested by Rep. Herseth Sandlin Included in the Legislation

• South Dakota Army National Guard:
  • $29 million-Construction of Joint Forces Headquarters (JFHQ)
  • $14.463 million-Construction of Barracks/Administrative and Parking Complex.
• South Dakota Air National Guard-Joe Foss Field:
• $4.5 million-Relocate aircraft ready shelters and upgrade the Aircraft Organization Maintenance Shop.
• Ellsworth Air Force Base:
  • $11 million-Upgrading base entry and perimeter gates.

Defense Projects Requested by Rep. Herseth Sandlin Included in the Legislation

• South Dakota Air National Guard:
  • $1.44 million - F-16C Fire Control Computer for the 114th Fighter Wing
• B-1 Upgrade:
  • $1.6 million - Smart Bomb Rack Unit Upgrade
  • $4.160 million - B-1 Bomber 16-Carry Adapter Weapons Initiative
• South Dakota State University:
  • $2.5 million - Accelerated Materials Development and Characterization
  • $4 million - Alternative Power Technology for Missile Defense
  • $3.2 million - Renewable Jet Fuel from Lignocellulosic Feedstocks
  • $1.6 million - Predicting Bio-Agent Threat Profiles Using Automated Behavior Analysis
• University of South Dakota:
• $800,000 - Behavior and Neuroscience, Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI)
• Rosebud Sioux Tribe:
• $3.2 million - Advanced Electronics Rosebud Integration
• Polaris:
• $2.4 million - All Terrain Ultra Light Tactical Vehicles
• Black Hills Nanosystems:
• $1.6 million - Exploding Foil Initiators with Nanomaterial-Based Circuits
• South Dakota School of Mines and Technology:
• $6.4 million - Multi-Utility Materials for Army Future Combat Systems
• $500,000 - Improvised Explosive Device Simulation in Different Soils
• $600,000 - Novel Extremity Body Armor
• $500,000 Small Unmanned Aerial Vehicles and Sensors
• $400,000 - Shielding Rocket Payloads
• Dakota Power
• $1.6 million - Next Generation Lightweight Drive Systems for Army Weapons Systems
• Hematech:
• $1.6 million – Biological Threat Antibody Research

###

Congresswoman Stephanie Herseth Sandlin serves South Dakota in the U.S. House of Representatives. She is a member of the Blue Dog Coalition, a group of moderate Democrats committed to fiscal discipline and strong national security, and is co-chair of the Rural Working Group, which is dedicated to raising the profile of issues important to rural America. She also serves on three committees vital to South Dakota’s interests: Agriculture, Veterans’ Affairs and Natural Resources. In the 110th Congress, Rep. Herseth Sandlin was one of only 15 members appointed to serve on the Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming.