(Source: Rep. Chet Edwards, D-Waco)

(Washington, DC) - U.S. Representative Chet Edwards has secured $6 million for Waco defense programs under the final 2008 Defense Appropriations bill, which passed the House today 400 to 15. The bill contains $5 million added by Edwards for research at L-3 Communications, and $1 million for research at Advanced Concepts and Technologies, International (ACT I), both Waco area defense employers.

“I am proud to be a part of defense programs that enable local companies in Waco to play such a vital role in our nation’s defense. I will continue working with local leaders in McLennan County to make our area a major center for good-paying defense jobs that contribute to our nation’s security,” said Edwards, a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee.

Waco’s largest private employer, L-3 Communications, will receive $5 million requested by Edwards to improve the power and environmental control system on Navy EP-3 surveillance aircraft to help troops in the field. Edwards secured $4.2 million for the same project last year under the 2007 Defense bill.

“This research program increases the intelligence gathering capabilities of our Navy EP-3 surveillance planes, vital intelligence tools that protect our troops on the battlefields of Iraq and Afghanistan,” said Edwards.

Mike Holmes, VP Waco Operations, L-3 Communications, said, “A modern, higher capacity cooling system will enable the EP-3 to operate as a far more effective platform for high technology, state of the art mission systems, enhancing its support to the fleet and extending the life of this high demand force. We are grateful for the tremendous support and personal attention provided by Rep. Chet Edwards in his efforts to secure these funds thereby enabling the Navy to continue this important program.”

ACT I in Waco would receive $1 million to improve detection systems for airborne chemical and biological contaminants, which is a need identified by both the Department of Defense and our Homeland Security Agency. Edwards secured $1.1 million for the same project last year under the 2007 Defense bill.

“This project will follow ACT I’s important work of protecting our service men and women in combat zones from contaminated water and could also benefit communities here at home in the event of natural disasters or terrorist attacks,” said Edwards.

“The threat of chemical and biological agents being used against our military and civilian populations has never been higher,” said Mike Niggel co-founder of ACT I. “My partner, Harold Rafuse, and I want to express our sincere thanks to Congressman Edwards for his support of our initiatives, and especially for his support of the Carbon Nanotube Chemical Detector project funding, which will continue the development of one of the most promising technologies used for real-time detection of nerve gas and other chemical warfare agents in both military and civilian chemical monitoring systems.”

“These priority programs will strengthen our nation’s defense, improve our homeland security and support jobs and economic growth in our district, and I will continue to work hard in the months ahead in support of these locally initiated projects,” said Edwards.

The final 2008 Defense bill is expected to pass the Senate and be signed into law by the President later this month.

Major Provisions of 2008 Department of Defense Appropriations Bill

§ Provides $459 billion for the Department of Defense, $39.7 billion above 2007, a 9.5% increase.
§ Fully funds a 3.5 percent pay increase for all service members, 0.5 percent above the President’s request.
§ Defense Health Programs: Provides $23.5 billion, $918 million above the President’s budget request.
§ Adds $70 million to fund programs authorized under the Dignified Treatment of Wounded Warrior Act. Rejects the President’s proposed increases in TRICARE co-pays by fully funding the $1.9 billion TRICARE shortfall without cost to our troops.
§ Military Personnel: Supports efforts to grow the military force including 7,000 new Army soldiers, 5,000 new Marines, and 1,300 new Army Guard soldiers.
§ MRAPs and Body Armor: Provides $11.6 billion for Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles and increases funding for body armor and other protective equipment for Special Operations Command.
§ National Guard: Adds $980 million to help National Guard and Reserve forces better equip themselves in light of the severe shortages these components faced as a result of overseas deployments.
§ Support for Military Families: Includes $2.6 billion to provide our military families with the immediate need for more counselors, teachers, and child care providers. This is $237 million more than the President’s request and this funding is urgently needed by our military families who are stressed by repeated and extended deployments.