(Source: Rep. John Carter, R-Round Rock)

WASHINGTON, D.C. –Representative John Carter (TX-31), a member of the House Appropriations Committee, announced that funding has been included in the 2008 Department of Defense (DoD) Appropriations Conference Report for a number of projects that will benefit the 31st District. The Conference Report passed in the House and is expected to be signed into law by the President.
“It is vital to the success of our military that they receive the tools and resources they need to protect our country,” Congressman Carter said. “I am pleased to have secured funding for critical projects that will enhance our nation’s defense and ensure that our military remains the best and strongest in the world.”

Carter secured the following projects in the 2008 defense funding bill:
· $2.4 million to Applied Physical Electronics in Austin for funding to be used for continued development of the Electro-Magnetic Flak Impulse System to mitigate terrorist activities.
· $3 million for Fort Hood Training Lands Restoration and Maintenance. This funding will be used to rehabilitate training lands on Fort Hood through a program that reduces soil erosion and compaction, increases vegetation, fills gullies, constructs sediment traps, and provides appropriate stream-crossing and hilltop access points for vehicles. In addition, this program will verify the effectiveness of training land rehabilitation efforts.
· $2 million for The Tactical Local Area Network Program that provides Special Operational Forces’ operational commanders and forward deployed forces advanced automated data processing and display capabilities to support situational awareness, mission planning and execution, and command and control of forces.
· $1.6 million for High Optemo Performance Soldier Training to University of Texas. This funding will be used for critical research of soldiers in conditions of stress and fatigue in order to create recommendations that will result in improved soldier performance and their ability to survive in high stress situations.
· $1 million to Fort Hood, the University of Texas, and Texas A&M for digitization support. This program has provided high-end technical support for the problems encountered during the transformation of the Army’s digitization program.
Cong. Carter has secured funds for this program in previous years.
Other highlights of the bill include.
· 3.5 percent average pay increase for service men and women.
· $23.5 billion for Defense Health Programs including $70 million in additional funds for programs under the Dignified Treatment of Wounded Warrior Act.
· Provides funds for additional 7,000 new members of the Army, 5,000 new Marines and 1,300 Army National Guard as part of the Grow the Force initiative.
· $11.6 billion for Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles and increases funding for body armor and other protective equipment for Special Operations Command.
· $980 million for National Guard and Reserve forces equipment.
· $2.6 billion for military family advocacy programs such as counseling, education and child care.
· Allocates an additional $35 million for Impact Aid.