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Friday, September 29, 2006
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CONGRESS OK'S COMPLETION OF $9.6 MILLION NEADS FACILITY
Boehlert Secures Critical Authorization Language
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Sherwood Boehlert (R-New Hartford) today announced that the Congress has given final approval to essential defense authorization language needed to complete construction of a new state-of-the-art $9.6 million Northeast Air Defense Sector (NEADS) facility in Rome, NY. The authorization language secured by Boehlert was included in the fiscal year 2007 National Defense Authorization Conference Report that was approved by the House and is slated to clear the Senate late tonight.
"Today's announcement marks a major step in the drive for the defense trifecta in Rome," Boehlert said. "Once completed, the $9.6 million NEADS headquarters facility will compliment the state-of-the-art $25 million Rome Lab and $10 million DFAS facilities - bringing the total federal investment in defense facilities alone, at the Griffiss Business and Technology Park, to over $44 million since 1994."
"I can't stress enough the importance of this authorization language," Boehlert continued. "Without this authorization - the project could not move forward. NEADS military operations are providing vital services to our nation in antiquated facilities. This new state-of-the-art facility will allow our military services to modernize and better protect our freedom and security."
Since September 11, 2001, NEADS and its support component have grown exponentially to provide homeland defense. The existing NEADS facility in Rome is a 1940s vintage facility without adequate space to house existing operations. In addition, the United States Air Force announced last year the consolidation of NEADS with the Southeast Air Defense Sector (SEADS) to form the East Air Defense Sector (EADS), which will remain in Rome, NY and provide military air surveillance for the entire east coast, east of the Mississippi River. When completed, the new NEADS facility will meet Department of Defense Force Protection Standards, and sit adjacent to the existing facility on the Griffiss Business and Technology Park.
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**Editor's Note - Authorization language is required by law for Congress to fund military construction projects. Boehlert was able to secure a $3 million authorization and appropriation for the NEADS facility in 2006. Boehlert was also successful in securing the remaining $6.6 million appropriation in the FY 2007 Military Quality of Life Appropriations bill (passed by the House on 5/19/06) to complete the NEADS expansion, which is expected to receive the final approval from Congress in November.
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