[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 173 (Monday, November 14, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2034]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      HONORING THE U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS BALTIMORE DISTRICT

                                 ______
                                 

                     HON. C.A. DUTCH RUPPERSBERGER

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, November 14, 2011

  Mr. RUPPERSBERGER. Mr. Speaker, I rise before you today to honor the 
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Baltimore District, on the successful 
completion of a record military construction and Base Realignment and 
Closure mission. The Baltimore District worked on this complex mission 
for six years in the State of Maryland and throughout the mid-Atlantic 
region.
  In 2005, the U.S. Department of Defense was given the difficult task 
to reorganize itself to more efficiently and effectively support our 
forces, increase operational readiness and facilitate new ways of doing 
business. The Baltimore District was tasked with managing more than 
$4.2 billion in construction projects--more than any other in the 
Nation.
  Their work has provided our service members, their families and our 
civilian workforce with cutting-edge facilities that will allow the 
Department of Defense to continue its mission of protecting our Nation 
for years to come. These include the U.S. Army Test and Evaluation 
Command at Aberdeen Proving Ground and the Defense Information Systems 
Agency Headquarters at Fort Meade, among others. I am proud to welcome 
these distinguished agencies to the State of Maryland.
  The Baltimore District's work extends beyond Maryland's boundaries. 
In Pennsylvania, the Defense Distribution Depot Susquehanna, 
Letterkenny Army Depot and Tobyhanna Army Depot are now better prepared 
to meet the needs of our service members. Fort Belvoir in Virginia has 
expanded exponentially and is now home to the National Geospatial-
Intelligence Agency, the U.S. Army Legal Services Agency and the 
Northern Regional Medical Command. Their new proximity to Washington, 
D.C. is critical for the continued security of our Nation.
  The Baltimore District also contributed significantly to the economic 
stability of the region when we needed it most. The mission was 
executed with the help of many small businesses, including some owned 
by veterans, and created thousands of new jobs.
  Mr. Speaker, the Department of Defense set high expectations and 
aggressive schedules for this round of BRAC and expected them to be 
met. I applaud the Baltimore District, the North Atlantic Division and 
the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for their hard work, dedication, and 
persistence. I ask that you join me in thanking them for their 
excellent construction, design and engineering services.

                          ____________________