[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 13]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 18861]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



             DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2000

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                           HON. DAVID VITTER

                              of louisiana

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 22, 1999

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 2561) making 
     appropriations for the Department of Defense for the fiscal 
     year ending September 30, 2000, and for other purposes:

  Mr. VITTER. Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support for the Department 
of Defense Appropriations bill for Fiscal Year 2000. This legislation 
reaffirms Congress' commitment to a strong national defense and takes a 
positive step toward restoring our hollowed-out military. This 
legislation provides funding for key defense projects such as the LPD-
17 and the Navy Information Technology Center.
  By providing full funding for the LPD-17, the United States Navy 
receives a highly reliable, warfare capable ship and the most 
survivable amphibious ship ever put to sea. The LPD-17 design 
incorporates state-of-the-art self-defense capabilities, C4I, and 
reduced signature technologies advances that will prove priceless over 
its 40-year service life. LPD-17 also incorporates the latest quality 
of life standards for our Sailors and Marines.
  Furthermore, I would like to thank the Chairman for his foresight in 
placing additional funding above the President's request into the 
DIMHRS account for the Navy Information Technology Center in New 
Orleans. Funding for the Navy Information Technology Center will ensure 
continued development of the information software needed to handle 
personnel and pay management files for the Navy and other armed 
services. By investing in these improvements now, the Office of 
Management and Budget estimates the Navy will be able to save billions 
of dollars in the future. These savings will result in additional 
funding to rebuild our national defense.
  The legislation also includes the first significant increase in 
defense spending in 14 years, and will also boost pay for the nation's 
1.4 million active-duty service men and women by 4.8 percent.
  Once again, I would like to thank the Chairman for crafting an 
excellent bill, and I look forward to continuing to work with him and 
his staff.

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