Press Release

July 09, 2003

DEFENSE FUNDING IN SW GEORGIA

The House-passed $369.1 billion Defense Appropriations Bill contains $41.4 million for work on projects that will be done at military bases and by manufacturers located in Georgia’s Second Congressional District, U.S. Representative Sanford Bishop said Wednesday (7/9).

“These projects are important for the defense of the nation,” he said. “But, by bringing a substantial new investment of federal dollars into our area of Georgia, they will also create jobs and help strengthen our area’s economy. This is good for the country, and it’s good for southwest Georgia.”

The Second District Congressman helped write the Defense Appropriations Bill as a member of the House Appropriations Committee. Final passage is expected after a joint conference committee resolves differences between separate House and Senate versions. The bill is scheduled to go into effect on October 1, the start of the new fiscal year.

Representative Bishop said the bill provides: $16.3 million for work on the Marine Amphibious Assault Vehicle at the Marine Corps Logistics Center in Albany; $6.1 million in additional funding for maintenance and operations at Fort Benning; $3 million for producing lithium ion batteries for the unmanned intelligence aircraft, the Global Hawk, at Saft America in Valdosta; $15 million to manufacture “Wind Corrected Munitions Dispensers” at Lockheed Martin in Americus; and $1 million for production of the “Advanced Electric Drive” by the Timkin Company, which has a facility in Cairo.

In addition, the $9.2 billion Military Construction Appropriations Bill provides $34.95 million for three projects at Fort Benning, a fire station, multi-purpose training complex, and a physical evaluation center. The House and Senate passed that measure earlier.

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