For Immediate Release:

Wednesday, June 13, 2007

(Washington, D.C.) – U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-Wash) took another step to strengthen Washington's military facilities today when a key Senate subcommittee approved more than $635 million in improvements for Washington military installations, including funding Murray sought for a major new investment at Naval Station Everett.

"Washington's military facilities play a critical role in our nation's security.  I fought hard for this funding so that we can meet the needs of our service members and strengthen our facilities and the communities that support them," Murray said. 

Senator Murray is a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee and serves on its Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies (MilCon/VA).  Over the years, Murray has used her position to advocate for Washington state's military facilities. 

Today, Murray's MilCon/VA subcommittee passed its appropriations bill for Fiscal Year 2008.  It includes $635.2 million for investments at Washington state military facilities:

• Fort Lewis                  $364.6 million

• Yakima                       $29 million

• Bangor                        $39.75 million

• Bremerton                  $167 million

• Whidbey Island          $23.9 million

• NS Everett                 $10.94 million (detailed below)

Because of Murray's work, the bill includes funding for a new Fleet Regional Readiness Center at Naval Station Everett.  Murray's funding will build a new training center in Everett that will meet the training needs of more than 10,000 sailors in the region.  It will eliminate the need for Everett sailors to travel out-of-state for required training, improving their readiness, strengthening their presence in the Everett community, and improving their quality of life.  The project is a top priority of the Station and will make Naval Station Everett a more complete and valuable military asset.  (More on this investment)

Now that the bill has passed the subcommittee, it will be considered by the full Senate Appropriations Committee on Thursday (6/14) before moving to the Senate floor for consideration.

"Our bases have always had tremendous support from their surrounding communities. Here in the Senate I'm working to keep our facilities modern and comprehensive so they serve the highest needs of our military," Murray said.