[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 113 (Tuesday, September 1, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Page S9782]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         MILITARY CONSTRUCTION APPROPRIATIONS CONFERENCE REPORT

  Mr. HOLLINGS. Mr. President, this morning I missed the vote on the 
Fiscal Year 1999 Military Construction Appropriations Conference 
Report, which this body approved by a wide margin. I missed the vote 
due to a long airline delay--a delay especially vexing to me because I 
had scheduled my departure from South Carolina to arrive here in plenty 
of time to vote on this legislation. Had I been here, I would have been 
proud to cast an ``aye'' vote for this bill.
  As a combat veteran, I'm convinced a strong and vigorous military is 
vital to our nation's security and interests. The Military Construction 
Appropriations Conference Report is crucial to strengthening our armed 
forces, and it is tremendously important to the people of South 
Carolina.
  I was proud to work with fellow Appropriations Committee members to 
secure additional money for projects at the Parris Island Marine Corps 
Recruit Depot, McEntire Air National Guard Station, Spartanburg Air 
National Guard Center, Beaufort Marine Air Corps Station, and 
Charleston Air Force Base. In addition to strengthening our military, 
these projects will help the brave men and women in uniform who serve 
on these bases and their dependents.
  I was proud to help make the 1999 Military Construction 
Appropriations Conference Report a reality, and I'm pleased to see it 
approved today by the Senate.
  Mr. COVERDELL. Mr. President, with regards to this morning's vote on 
the military construction appropriations conference report, vote number 
253, I would like the Record to show that had I been present I would 
have voted aye. This bill provides important funding for military 
construction projects across the country, including a number of 
projects at military installations in Georgia.

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