[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 84 (Wednesday, June 24, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1211]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             MILITARY CONSTRUCTION APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 1999

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. STENY H. HOYER

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, June 22, 1998

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 4059) making 
     appropriations for military construction, family housing, and 
     base realignment, and closure for the Department of Defense 
     for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1999, and for other 
     purposes:


  Mr. HOYER. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of this bill and would 
like to commend the work of both the Chairman, Mr. Packard, and the 
Ranking Member, Mr. Hefner. Further, I would like to express my sincere 
appreciation for the work and friendship of Mr. Hefner. He is truly one 
of our finest members and it has been my distinct honor to have served 
with him in this body. The Committee has done an outstanding job in 
crafting a bill which addresses both the military needs and quality of 
life concerns for the men and women in our armed services. Make no 
mistake, our military personnel deserve the best that we in Congress 
can offer, and this bill takes many of the necessary steps required to 
improve the quality of life for our military families. The focus this 
bill places on family housing, child development centers, medical 
facilities and treatment centers is critical if we are going to 
continually recruit and retain our best people. While this bill does 
not meet every deficiency in our military facilities, it continues the 
approach of budgeting for the highest priority needs of our armed 
services. Additionally, I believe it represents a firm commitment by 
this Congress to our men and women in uniform to continue our efforts 
to improve their living and working conditions.
  Further, I would like to express my appreciation to the Committee for 
their quick response to fund the Continuous Processing Facility at 
Indian Head. As many of you know, an accidental explosion damaged a 
portion of this building in February. Although my funding request was 
unexpected, the Committee responded to this priority by providing funds 
for a facility which in the long run will be more efficient and 
flexible in meeting the Defense Department's energetics requirements. 
Lastly, I would like to thank the Committee for supporting the 
Administration's request for the replacement of the Annealing Ovens 
Facility at Indian Head. This new facility will function in a more 
efficient fashion and address important environmental concerns in my 
district. Again, I thank the Chairman and Ranking Member, and I urge my 
colleagues to support this bill.

                          ____________________