INCLUDED ARE EARMARKED FUNDS FOR NEW CHAPEL COMPLEX AT FORT LEAVENWORTH, WORKING DOGS FACILITY AT FORT RILEY

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Nancy Boyda (Kansas Second District) today announced that two Kansas military bases, Fort Riley and Fort Leavenworth, stand to gain $255 million in new funding under the conference report of the 2008 Veterans Affairs and Military Construction (VA / MILCON) Appropriations Bill.

The conference report resulted from House / Senate negotiations on earlier VA / MILCON appropriations bills passed by both houses. It is expected to reach a vote in the House of Representatives today.

"Fort Riley and Fort Leavenworth are key assets in the war on terror, and these projects are critical to their continued success," Boyda said. "The funds will not only strengthen the Kansas economy but will improve the safety and security of every American."

The bill includes two earmarked appropriations requested by Rep. Boyda:

• Fort Leavenworth will receive $11.6 million in earmarked funds for the first phase of a new chapel complex. "When the chapel at Fort Leavenworth burned to the ground six years ago, the fort lost more than a building. It lost a gathering place for families, a space for faith and prayer," Boyda said. "The new funding will allow Fort Leavenworth to rebuild the chapel years ahead of schedule. During a difficult time of war and loss, this is a moment of hope for our community."

  Congressman Chet Edwards, the chairman of the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Subcommittee and the author of the 2008 VA / MILCON Appropriations Bill, said, "Rebuilding the chapel at Fort Leavenworth is not only a high priority for Kansas – it's a high priority for the United States Army. Nancy made a compelling case that the chapel's reconstruction should not be delayed any longer. Her persistence and close work with the fort made the difference."

• Fort Riley will receive $1.9 million in earmarked funds to construct a new facility for the Military Working Dogs. "The Fort Riley Working Dogs are trained to sniff out explosive devices on the battlefield, helping to keep our soldiers safe," Boyda said. "The Working Dogs are currently training in a temporary facility after their previous training complex was condemned. Now they'll have a specialized, permanent facility to support their efforts."

The bases will also receive $242 million in non-earmarked funds under the president's VA / MILCON budget:

• Fort Leavenworth:
  Barracks $55M
  Barracks (Grow the Force) $12.8M
  Unit Operations Facilities (Grow the Force) $23M

• Fort Riley:
  Barracks (Grow the Force) $50M
  Child Development Center (Grow the Force) $8.5M
  Digital Multipurpose Range Complex $28M
  Health and Dental Clinic (Grow the Force) $8.8M
  Unit Operations Facilities (Grow the Force) $43M
  Air Support Operations Squadron Complex $12.515M