Everett Announces Passage of New Defense Budget

Everett Announces Defense Budget Passage with $768 Million in Weapons Funding Impacting Southeast Alabama

Southeast Alabama defense workers will benefit from the House passage of the final 2003 defense appropriations bill Thursday which spends $768 million on weapons systems partially produced in the Second District and $23 million on military base enhancements, Congressman Terry Everett, R-Rehobeth, announced.

"The war against terrorism and defense modernization is having a real impact on military weapons procurement in the 2003 defense budget and Southeast Alabama is well-positioned to benefit as a number of key weapons systems are partially produced here," said Congressman Everett, a member of the House Armed Services Committee.

"The new defense budget ensures that our local defense workers will play a vital role in the weapons supply line," Everett added. "I was pleased to support $498 million in Pentagon purchases of Longbow Hellfire, Javelin, Predator, and JASSM missiles; all of which undergo final assembly at Lockheed Martin in Pike County.

"Furthermore, I supported $270 million for the purchase of (19) UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters for which composite parts are produced and assembled by GKN in Tallassee and Montgomery.

"Fort Rucker, Alabama, the Home of the U.S. Army Aviation Center, is tapped under the new defense budget to receive $23 million in base enhancements and training systems essential in the training of Army helicopter pilots," Everett said.

"I supported the inclusion of $9.6 million for (6) more TH-67 training helicopters for Fort Rucker, and I secured $3.05 million to construct UH-60 Blackhawk parking aprons. Additionally, I supported $7 million in the new defense budget for OH-58 Kiowa Warrior simulators for the Army Aviation Center, and $3.5 million for a new fitness center."

The $355 billion 2003 Defense Appropriations Act, which passed the House Thursday, also funds a 4.1 percent raise for military personnel.

"The heightened military deployments to Afghanistan to fight the war on terrorism and the potential military action in Iraq require that we provide our men and women in uniform the best equipment and training possible. I'm pleased that this legislation meets that requirement," Everett added.