Florida National Guard Hurricane Damage
FLORIDA NATIONAL GUARD HURRICANE DAMAGE
Mr. NELSON of Florida. Mr. President, would the Senators from Texas and California be willing to engage me in a colloquy?
Mrs. HUTCHISON. I would be pleased to engage in a colloquy with the Senator from Florida.
Mrs. FEINSTEIN. I would also be willing to engage in a colloquy with my friend from Florida.
Mr. NELSON of Florida. Mr. President, I have come to the floor today to speak about the Florida National Guard and the damage to their critical facilities as a result of Hurricanes Charley and Frances. Although no armory or readiness center was lost to total destruction, there are many significant problems to over thirty facilities that need immediate attention. I am concerned that funds are made immediately available to fix buildings to ensure that they are not exposed to further damage and that the Florida National Guard can return to its high readiness in their home stations.
I have received the assurances of LTG Steve Blum, Chief of the National Guard Bureau, that the $5 million necessary to make repairs to Florida's armories is already available in contingency accounts and will be released for obligation as soon as practical. Accordingly, I will not seek additional funds in the military construction bill for this purpose.
The Florida National Guard has performed its State and Federal missions superbly over the last 2 years. At home and overseas the Florida National Guard has time and again been there for the people of the United States and Florida. We owe them our total support in the fastest possible repair of their facilities so that they can remain ready for all that we will continue to ask them to do in the days ahead.
Mrs. HUTCHISON. I thank the Senator from Florida for bringing this issue to the attention of our committee and the Senate. Contingency funds exist to support the requirements of the Florida National Guard and I am confident they will have what they need when they need it.
Mrs. FEINSTEIN. I also thank the Senator from Florida for bringing this to our attention. I appreciate his sharp attention to the needs of Florida in this time of crisis, his determined efforts on behalf of their relief, and his unwavering support of the Florida National Guard.
Mr. NELSON of Florida. I thank the distinguished chairman and ranking member for their interest and I look forward to working with them on the range of issues that confront Florida in its recovery from these hurricanes.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. All time having been yielded back, the question is on the engrossment and third reading of the bill.
The bill was ordered to be engrossed for a third reading and was read the third time.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under the previous order, the Senate will proceed to the consideration of H.R. 4837, which the clerk will report.
The legislative clerk read as follows:
A bill (H.R. 4837) making appropriations for military construction, family housing, and base realignment and closure for the Department of Defense for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2005, and for other purposes.