Schumer, Clinton: Congress Approves Over $68 Million in Funding for Fort Drum

SCHUMER, CLINTON: CONGRESS APPROVES OVER $68 MILLION IN FUNDING FOR FT. DRUM

US Senators Charles Schumer and Hillary Rodham Clinton announced today that Congress has given final approval for $68.139 million for military construction projects at Fort Drum, including $48 million for Phase II of the Wheeler Sack Army Airfield barracks complex, $4.95 million for an Airfield Arrival/Departure Facility, and $6.489 million for the National Guard Readiness Center. The bill also included an additional $3 million for a Defense Live Fire Range and $5.7 million for an upgrade of educational transitional facilities.

The news came as the House and Senate approved the FY 2005 Department of Defense Military Construction Appropriations Bill. The bill will now go to the President for his signature.

"Ft. Drum's 10th Mountain Division has been at the front line in our nation's war on terror around the world, and the men and women stationed at Ft. Drum make a vital contribution to the community surrounding the base," said Senator Schumer.
"The brave and selfless men and women of Ft. Drum deserve nothing less than our utmost support and I'm proud that this new fire range and the facility improvements will provide them with the best training and equipment possible."

"Fort Drum is home to the most frequently deployed division in the Army. We must do everything we can to support Fort Drum, as a measure of our commitment to the skill and courage of its soldiers and the strength of its community," Senator Clinton said. "It was a pleasure to see the troops from the 10th Mountain Division in Afghanistan last Thanksgiving and again at their base earlier this year. I am so pleased that in the Senate Armed Services Committee has agreed to authorize funding for these important military construction projects."