Rep. Courtney Announces $13.6 Million for Niantic National Guard Readiness Center and Largest Boost to VA Funding in 77 Year History

Press Release

REP. COURTNEY ANNOUNCES $13.6 MILLION FOR NIANTIC NATIONAL GUARD READINESS CENTER AND LARGEST BOOST TO VA FUNDING IN 77 YEAR HISTORY

Congressman Joe Courtney today voted for the single largest increase in spending for the Veterans Affairs Administration in its 77 year history and helped to secure $13.6 million for a new Connecticut National Guard Readiness Center in Niantic.

The funding is provided through the Fiscal Year 2008 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations bill, which passed the House of Representatives with a final vote of 409-2.

"We rely on the dedication of our men and women in uniform to serve as our first line of defense and to protect our democracy. Our soldiers deserve nothing less than the same commitment from Congress when they return home," stated Congressman Joe Courtney. "I am proud to support eastern Connecticut's veterans with this record-setting funding and will continue to fight on their behalf to make sure they receive the care and benefits they have earned."

In addition, the bill includes $13.6 million to construct a 50,000 square foot Connecticut National Guard Readiness center located at Camp Rell, Connecticut's primary military training site. The new Readiness center will provide administrative offices, classrooms, library, service spaces, kitchen, storage and a fitness center for Connecticut-based armed forces. Two National Guard units are planned to occupy this new facility: a Military Police (MP) Battalion Headquarters and a Military Police (MP) Company.

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