(Washington, D.C.) Congress passed a comprehensive spending bill today that will secure $16.6 million in defense projects for the 17th Congressional District, including $2 million to build National Guard barracks at the Ravenna Arsenal, and $1.6 million for downtown Youngstown’s Syncro Medical for the further development of a feeding tube used to treat burn patients by the U.S. Army.

The bipartisan bill, H.R. 2638 – Consolidated Security, Disaster Assistance, and Continuing Appropriations Act, passed the House of Representatives by a 370 to 58 vote, and included FY2009 funding for the Defense Department, Department of Homeland Security, Military Construction and the Veterans’ Administration.

The bill also funded a continuation of most domestic government agencies at 2008 levels until March 6, 2009 including $7.5 billion to support $25 billion in loans to help American automakers to update their factories in order to build more fuel efficient cars and trucks, a $1 billion increase in WIC funding to provide mothers and their children with proper nutrition, a $2.5 billion increase to help families pay rising home energy bills, helping an additional 2 million households. The bill allows the offshore drilling ban to expire on September 30th and provides an additional $2.5 billion for Pell Grants for higher education.

“The bill we passed today makes significant investments in the 17th District, promotes cutting edge research and development that will be done right here in northeastern Ohio, and helps preserve the readiness of our military,” said Congressman Ryan. “The benefits of these investments will go to our universities, our business community and our workers as we continue to revitalize our area and build a robust economy.”

The bill also makes critical investments into the health, well-being and readiness of our armed forces around the world. $750 million is set aside to ensure that the National Guard and Reserve soldiers have all of the tools they need after years of irresponsible shortfalls. Another $25.8 billion is allocated to provide our troops with continuing medical care, including $300 million for traumatic brain injury and psychological health.

“The Democratic Congress will continue to ensure that returning soldiers and sailors receive top-of-the-line health care and the educational opportunities that they deserve for the service provided our nation,” Ryan added.

The full list of funded projects includes:

·         Ravenna Arsenal National Guard Barracks ($2 million)

The project will create housing for Soldiers when they are at the Ravenna Training and Logistics Site (RTLS) for training, filling a need critical to the mission of the Training Site.

·         High Altitude Airship ($3.2 million)

The High Altitude Airship program is to provide a high altitude (65,000 ft), low cost, maneuverable, multi-mission airborne platform in support of intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and communication operations. The HAA will assist in affordable, unmanned, persistent airborne operations for a broad spectrum of US government users. Moreover, communications missions can be accomplished without deploying ground troops.

·         Feeding Tube for Battlefield Trauma Patients ($1.6 million)

This Feeding Tube has been clinically proven at the Brooke Army Medical Center to offer the most effective method for the successful post pyloric placement of a small bowel feeding tube for battlefield trauma patients. Successful completion of Phase II will allow the elimination of X-rays as a routine part of the feeding tube procedure, saving both the patient and clinician from significant levels of exposure to radiation and saving the U.S. healthcare market $2 billion.

·         Alternative Energy Fuel Cell Power ($1.6 million)

Remote military base deployments require electrical power for personnel support and command and control applications, and current diesel generators are not fuel sufficient. The market for this product is estimated at more than $200 million per year, and will result in the creation of hundreds of new, high-paying manufacturing jobs for Ohio.

·         Liquid Crystal Laser Eye Protection ($1.6 million)

The goal of the Liquid Crystal Eye Protection project is to implement digital liquid crystal technology on curved plastic shields, visors and goggles. The threats of laser energy systems are increasing, and a digital lens providing multiple functions of light and laser protection controlled by the user will combat a threat and enhance safety.

·         Stryker Second Source/Next Generation Tire Development ($800,000)

This project will provide funding to the Army for research development and testing qualification of second source tires for current Stryker vehicles as well as near term next generation tires for heavier load Stryker vehicles under development. Tires are a high use item for Stryker, and the Army is interested in a second source because capacity is strained. This program ensures that services have sufficient supply capacity in a wartime effort—a matter of national security.

·         Corrosion Engineering Education Initiative ($800,000)

Responding to industry and Department of Defense demands, The University of Akron is establishing the first comprehensive undergraduate education program in the field of corrosion engineering and science. This effort will create corrosion-specific, accredited engineering degrees at the associate and baccalaureate levels, as well as deliver industry-accredited workforce development certification courses.

·         Helmets to Hardhats ($3 million)

This project’s intent is to facilitate access by veterans, National Guardsmen, and reservists to opportunities for skilled employment in the construction industry. This would create a smooth, shift for transitioning active duty military and create careers for existing National Guardsmen and reservists.

·         Tac Fab ($2 million)

The Army uses its Rapid Manufacturing System (RMS) to provide deployed forces with critical spare parts to keep its weapons systems operating under the extreme wear and conditions of battle. The Tactical Metal Fabrication System, or TacFab, will provide mobile metal casting capability that will complement the RMS to cut parts production time by up to 90%.

Congressman Ryan also assisted other members of Congress in securing funding for the following projects:

• High Power, Ultra-Lightweight, Zinc-Air Battery ($2.5 million)

This funding will allow for the continued development of a high-rate capability air electrode for a zinc air battery system.

• Improved Collapsible Urethane-Fuel Storage Tanks (ICU-FST) ($1.6 million)

A wide range of critical military, national security and natural disaster response activities depend on collapsible storage tanks for fuel and water distribution. The ICU-FST will benefit the U.S. Department of Homeland Security in meeting immediate needs of rescue operations and residents in disaster areas.

• Power Dense Transmissions ($1.28 million)

This project will develop an advanced gear material system for helicopter power transmissions.

• Combat Skills Simulation Systems, Ohio Army National Guard ($3.72 million)

These training simulators will enable the Ohio Army National Guard to conduct collective training in the types of missions typically conducted by Ohio National Guard units when deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.

·         Defense Metals Technology Center ($3 million)

The Defense Metals Technology Center functions as an industrial-based consortium to serve the needs of the Department of Defense by facilitating research and development of innovative technology and products for the Defense Materials and Manufacturing Industry. DMTC will serve as an effective third party agent to link academia, national labs, industrial interests, and the Department of Defense to a common goal: maintaining a globally competitive industrial base to support the cost effective manufacture of military hardware.

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