Carney Announces Military Readiness and Reserve Centers for Northeast and Central Pennsylvania
Press Release
CARNEY ANNOUNCES MILITARY READINESS AND RESERVE CENTERS FOR NORTHEAST AND CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA
Congressman Christopher P. Carney is fighting for more military funding for northeast and central Pennsylvania. Carney supported H.R. 6599, The Military Construction and Veteran Affairs FY09 Appropriations bill, which passed in the U.S. House of Representatives with a vote of 409 to 4. Included in the bill are three provisions that directly impact northeast and central Pennsylvaniamoney for Honesdale, Lewisburg and Williamsport.
"I fought to make sure more money is brought back home for our men and women in uniform," said Congressman Carney. "As someone who still serves in the U.S. Navy Reserves, I understand the importance of both a modern Readiness Center and new Reserve Centers. These will make a tremendous contribution to our military and National Guard, as well as our own local community."
Congressman Carney fought to include money for the Honesdale Readiness Center, including $504,000 for design and $6,117,000 for construction and restoration. This project will design and construct alterations to approximately 22,339 SF of the existing Honesdale Readiness Center (RC) and design and construct an 11,578 SF addition. The Honesdale RC was built in 1977 and funding for this project will modernize the facility to suit today's modern mission readiness training requirements and 55 HBCT support for Homeland Security operations. It will also bring the facility up to date with the latest health, safety, and facility codes.
In addition, the Military Construction and Veteran Affairs FY09 Appropriations bill includes funding for BRAC centers in central Pennsylvania, including $24 million for a new Reserve center in Lewisburg and $18.5 million for a new Reserve Center in Williamsport.
"Our National Guard and Reservists need modern places to train locally. Our Reserve and National Guard soldiers are playing an increasing role in the War on Terror, and more must be done to provide the resources necessary to ensure their success. I will continue to fight to make sure that these centers receive the federal funding they need," said Carney.
In addition, the legislation includes funding for our troops and military families, including:
$5.6 billion in military construction and family housing to support the Administration's program to increase the size of the Army by 65,000, the Marine Corps by 27,000, and the Guard and Reserve by 9,200 personnel.
$40.8 billion for veterans' medical care. The Veterans Health Administration estimates they will treat more than 5.8 million patients in 2009 including more than 333,275 veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan (40,000 more than 2008).
$3.8 billion for specialty mental health care and $584 million for substance abuse programs.
$100 million above the President's request to increase the beneficiary travel reimbursement rate from 28.5 cents per mile to 41.5 cents per mile.
$3.2 billion to help eliminate inadequate military housing.
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