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Washington, D.C., Jul 8, 2009 - Congressman J. Randy Forbes (VA-04) announced today that he is a cosponsor of the Military Children’s School Investment Act, H.R. 2593, which would provide grant funding to schools affected by Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) and Global Rebasing to meet their construction needs.   

 “As a result of the expansion and growth of Ft. Lee, the surrounding areas and local school systems will experience growth as well. It is important that our schools have the necessary resources to continue to provide quality education to our children. Local school districts often need additional funds to adequately support the influx of students in their schools as a result of nearby military installations,” said Forbes. “These grants will enable school districts to meet the needs of their students and provides quality education to our military families.”

The grants authorized by H.R. 2593 would be used: (1) to construct new schools or expand existing schools to accommodate the influx of students; (2) repair or upgrade academic facilities; or (3) lease, with the Secretary’s approval, buildings or portions of buildings from a private entity for additional school space.   

The Department of Defense’s Global Rebasing, Army Modularization, and Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) initiatives are expected to bring over 30,000 additional military students into public school systems nation wide, multiplying the current needs of those schools.  

Congressman Forbes serves as Ranking Member of the Readiness Subcommittee, which oversees the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) process. His work in the most recent BRAC process nearly doubled the personnel assigned to Ft. Lee and kept the Defense Supply Center Richmond open.