Bill includes nearly $117M in funding for 20 Delaware-based projects,

Washington, D.C. -- Today, Delaware Congressman Mike Castle helped the House of Representatives pass H.R. 2638, the Consolidated Security, Disaster Assistance, and Continuing Appropriations Act, which contains a continuing resolution that will fund government agencies at FY 2008 levels through March 6, 2009, except for defense, veterans, and homeland security programs.

"This bill provides critical funding for military construction and national security projects in Delaware, including key funds for Dover Air Force Base and the Delaware National Guard," Rep. Castle said.  "Spending included in this package will be used for military pay raises and to supply our soldiers with body-armor, equipment, and combat vehicles.  Additional increases were made to important programs to assist with education, community housing, and low-income energy assistance.

"It is crucial that we make certain this funding is spent efficiently, and I believe the projects funded here will ensure Delaware continues to lead the way in developing cutting-edge technology and programs.

"While funding for defense, veterans, and homeland security is vital, I am disappointed that all appropriations bills, including those that fund domestic programs, like medical research at the National Institutes of Health and education, were not considered under regular order and instead will remain flat funded.  However, the limited increased funding that is included in the measure for LIHEAP, Pell grants, Community Development Block Grants, and auto manufacturing retooling will go a long way to meet the economic needs of Delawareans."

Delaware-based projects receiving funding through this bill include:

Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Bill

• Dover AFB = $19M for a new physical fitness center for airmen. A new facility is necessary to meet the Air Force's new requirements and emphasis on physical fitness, health and wellness.  
• DE Air National Guard = $3.2M for new Information Operations Communication Facility. Without a new facility, the unit will not be capable of properly training or supporting active combat missions with respect to intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance.
• DE Army National Guard = $28M for Army Aviation Support Facility to provide the support facility needed to protect, maintain, and operate the 14 UH-60s assigned to the Delaware Army National Guard.
• DE Air National Guard = $11.6M for Replacement of C-130 Aircraft Maintenance Shops. The project is part of a multi-phased construction program to replace an aged hangar and shops, which support the 166th Airlift Wing's flying mission for its 8 C-130 aircraft. An improved aircraft maintenance facility will ensure a ready force that can meet both State and Federal requirements. Over 100 personnel will work and train in this facility.
• Wilmington Armed Forces Reserve Center = $11.53M for NOSC Portion, Armed Forces Reserve Center to build the Navy Operational Support Center portion of a joint Reserve Center and replace the current 40 year old facility which is too small and poorly configured for the mission.
• Dover AFB = $3.373M to bring a 55,000 barrel bulk fuel storage tank into compliance with American Petroleum Institute criteria and military requirements and ensure adequate fuel supply for C-5s and C-17s assigned to Dover AFB.

Department of Defense Appropriations Bill

• Micropore = $1.6M for Reactive Plastic CO2 Absorbent Production Capacity. The Department of Defense is working with Micropore to establish a domestic production capability for reactive plastic CO2 absorbent to ensure sufficient quantities are available to meet a wide range of military and national security needs and to bring the per unit cost down.  Micropore produces an absorbent cartridge used by the Department of Defense in rebreathing and life support systems for military SCUBA, on submarines, in medical oxygen delivery, and for chemical and biological weapons protection.
• WL Gore = $3.2M for Second Generation Extended Cold Weather Clothing System. The President's FY09 Budget requested funding for the U.S. Army National Guard to purchase the Second Generation Extended Cold Weather Clothing System from W.L. Gore.    
• WL Gore = $4M for Combat Desert Jacket. The President's FY09 Budget requested funding for the U.S. Marines to purchase the Combat Desert Jacket from W.L. Gore.  The Marines are in a five year fielding plan to provide this garment to all Marines.
• DE Army National Guard = $4M for Phoenix Quad-band Satellite Receiver.  The Delaware Army National Guard's 261st Signal Brigade has requested funds to purchase a mobile satellite communications receiver to provide communication interoperability between the Guard and Active Component Army signal units.
• UD Center for Composite Materials = $9M (4 separate projects) for UD Center for Composite Materials. The Department of Defense has asked the University of Delaware's Center for Composite Materials to develop ultra-lightweight, durable armor to protect soldiers against mine blast, ballistic, IED and EFP threats.   
• Textronics = $1.6M for Garment-Based Physiological Monitoring Systems. The U.S. Army is working with Textronics to develop a new generation of wearable physiological monitoring systems that will enable the accurate and real-time remote monitoring of a U.S. soldier’s heart rate, respiration, and other physiological parameters. The project will help the military improve the safety, security, health, well-being, and performance of U.S. soldiers.
• DuPont = $2M for Optimized M-25 Soldier Fuel Cell System. The U.S. Army has asked DuPont to develop a lightweight and reliable individual power source for U.S. soldiers operating in combat.  Currently, U.S. soldiers carry heavy batteries to charge individual equipment, including communications equipment.  DuPont's Soldier Fuel Cell System will be smaller, more durable, more economical, and last up to 10X longer than today’s batteries.  It will provide new on-soldier and standalone charging capability, reducing the overall load carried by soldiers for military operations.
• Piasecki Aircraft Corporation = $5M for Vectored Thrust Ducted Propeller (VTDP) Compound Helicopter Advanced Technology Flight Demonstration Program. The U.S. Army has asked Piasecki Aircraft to increase the rotorcraft speed, range, and survivability of the Vectored Thrust Ducted Propeller Compound Helicopter.  The flight testing, which will be conducted at New Castle County Airport, is being initiated to expand the helicopter's air assault and combat logistics support capabilities at higher altitudes.  This development will allow for improved reliability and rapid MEDEVAC of victims from combat to critical care facilities.
• ILC Dover = $1.6M for Joint Services Aircrew Mask (JSAM) Don/Doff Inflight Upgrade. The Department of Defense has asked ILC Dover to develop an aircrew mask that provides above the neck Chemical-Biological and Anti-G protection to aircrew personnel.   
• ANP Technologies = $1.6M for NIDS Improved Handheld Biological Agent Detector. The U.S. Army and the U.S. Marine Corps have asked ANP Technologies to develop a light, reliable, and easy-to-use handheld tool for soldiers in the battlefield to test for biological weapons.   
• Fraunhofer USA Center for Molecular Biotechnology = $1.6M for Army Plant Vaccine Development Program. The Department of Defense's Defense Threat Reduction Agency is working with Fraunhofer USA in Newark to develop a combined multivalent one-shot vaccine that protects the Armed Forces and civilian communities against plague and anthrax. 
• Quantum Leap Innovations = $3M for Integrated Warfighter Biodefense Program. The U.S. Navy is working with Quantum Leap Innovations to develop technologies to protect sailors and marines from asymmetric threats such as biological weapons attacks and Pandemic Influenza.   
• University of Delaware = $1.6M for Millimeter Wave Imaging. The U.S. Navy's Office of Naval Research is working with the University of Delaware to develop a millimeter wave imaging system based on the use of visible wavelength lasers. From a national defense perspective, the applications of the University's millimeter wave imaging system are far-reaching in that U.S. soldiers will be able to image behind bunkers and through dust, fog, and sandstorms, thus improving their situational awareness in combat.

Homeland Security Appropriations Bill

• City of Newark = $300,000 for High Power Voice and Siren System in the boundaries of the City of Newark.  The project is part of the FEMA pre-disaster mitigation program, and the goal is to implement an effective option for warning the public of threatening situations including attacks and dangerous weather. 

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