Los Angeles - Rep. Howard Berman (D-Mission Hills) announced today that Congress has approved $3.5 million for critical defense programs that will support high quality jobs in the Valley. 

 

Three local firms -- ITT Gilfillan in Van Nuys, L-3 Communications Ocean Systems in Sylmar and Quallion LLC, also in Sylmar -- will receive the funds.

 

"These funds will preserve good jobs in the Valley, and hopefully lead to the creation of significant new employment opportunities in the near future," Berman said.  "Defense cutbacks after the Cold War had a very negative impact on the local economy.  I am committed to preserving the remaining defense industrial base and the high quality jobs that go with it.”

 

“$1.5 million will go to Quallion LLC for the development of an advanced rechargeable battery that the Army will use to power high-tech communications packs carried by soldiers,” Berman continued.  “This new battery design will help ensure the safety of our troops because -- unlike most batteries -- it contains no toxic chemicals.”

 

"$1 million will go to ITT Gilfillan to continue development of a cutting?edge antenna technology that will vastly improve military communications,” Berman said.  "This program is on the verge of a major breakthrough, and has received strong support from the Defense Department.”

 

“The final $1 million will go to L-3 Ocean Systems to do critical maintenance work on sonar arrays towed by our Navy submarines,”  Berman said.  "The workers at the Sylmar plant have unparalleled expertise in working on advanced sonar systems, and this refurbishment program is a cost-effective way to ensure that the Navy will continue to have enough arrays for the entire submarine fleet.”

 

The $3.5 million is included in the conference agreement for the fiscal year 2003 Defense Appropriations Act, which passed the House on October 10, and will soon be signed into law by the President.

 

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