[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 109 (Thursday, July 19, 2012)]
[House]
[Page H5023]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           ARMY DEPOTS PLAY VITAL ROLE IN MILITARY READINESS

  (Mr. FARENTHOLD asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. FARENTHOLD. I rise today to express my concern regarding the 
reduction in funding for Army depots and arsenals contained in the 
Defense appropriations bill that we're debating today on the House 
floor. Army studies have shown that these reductions will have a 
lasting negative impact on the Army's organic industrial base.
  I have the privilege of representing the Corpus Christie Army depot, 
known as the ``best kept secret in the Army,'' saving taxpayers 
millions of dollars. It costs about $6.7 million to repair a crash-
battle damaged Blackhawk versus $17 million for a new one. In fiscal 
year 2011, a record production year, CCAD produced more than $47 
million in cost savings for the Army. The depot shares a great 
relationship with the community, employing over 6,000 civilian, 56 
percent of whom are veterans. The Army depot serves as the world's 
largest facility for the repair and overhaul of Army aviation 
helicopters. Without CCAD, the Army would be unable to sustain maximum 
combat power for the warfighter.
  I look forward to working with the committee and the chairman to 
address these concerns and ensuring the Corpus Christie Army depot and 
others depots and arsenals continue to play a vital role in maintaining 
the readiness of our military.

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