[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 9]
[Senate]
[Page 13293]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



       FISCAL YEAR 2000 MILITARY CONSTRUCTION APPROPRIATIONS BILL

  Mr. TORRICELLI. Mr. President, I rise today in strong support of the 
FY 2000 Military Construction Appropriations Bill. This legislation 
demonstrates a considerable investment in our military's 
infrastructure, and a strong commitment to improving the quality of 
life of our soldiers that will go a long way toward achieving retention 
and recruiting goals. I especially thank and acknowledge the efforts of 
the distinguished chairman of the Appropriations Committee, Senator 
Stevens, the distinguished ranking member of the Appropriations 
Committee Senator Byrd, the chairman of the Military Construction 
Subcommittee, Senator Burns, and ranking member, Senator Murray.
  I am particularly pleased that the committee included $1.9 million 
for the Armament Software Engineering Center, ASEC, at Picatinny 
Arsenal in my home State of New Jersey. Throughout our Nation's 
history, Picatinny Arsenal has provided our men and women with the 
high-technology weapons that have helped achieve our military 
victories. The new ASEC will consolidate many of the Arsenal's 
operations, thus enhancing Picatinny's capability to test and upgrade 
``smart'' weapons. In 1998, the Senate supported ASEC by providing 
funds for the initial design, but unfortunately, the Army has not yet 
moved forward with the project. I am pleased by the Senate's renewed 
support of the Center, and look foward to working with the Subcommittee 
and the Army to ensure that this state-of-the-art facility becomes a 
reality.
  I also express my support for the committee's inclusion of $11.8 
million to modernize several facilities at the United States Military 
Academy Preparatory School, USMAPS, at Fort Monmouth. Currently, the 
cadets attending USMAPs are housed in substandard facilities which have 
not been modernized since 1979. This funding will provide for much 
needed improvements that will allow USMAPS to continue training cadets 
for the Army and admittance into the U.S. Military Academy at West 
Point.
  I am extremely pleased by the Senate's support of the ACFT/Platform 
Interface Lab, API Lab, at the Lakehurst Naval Air Warfare Center. The 
inclusion of $15.71 million for this project will allow for the 
consolidation of 14 labs and 5 different 40-70 year old facilities to 
build the new modern API lab. The consolidation of these facilities in 
one location will result in greater productivity and efficiency, and an 
increased ability for Lakehurst to fulfill its mission of ensuring our 
military's aircraft can take off and land safely from all Navy ships.
  I thank the committee for supporting several projects at two other 
critical bases in my State. First, the $5.6 million provided for the 
Centralized Tactical Vehicle Wash Facility at Fort Dix will increase 
our ability to prepare military vehicles for missions overseas. Second, 
the funding for a Consolidated Aircraft Maintenance Hangar, Visiting 
Quarters and additional units of housing at McGuire Air Force Base will 
improve the standard of living and increase productivity throughout the 
base.
  Finally, while I am supportive of the projects included in this 
legislation, I look forward to working with the community to identify 
additional funding for another important project that was not included 
in the bill. This project, the National Guard Bureau Training and 
Training Technology Battle Lab, T3BL, at Fort Dix, will allow the Army 
National Guard to conduct cutting edge training through the application 
and use of critical training, aides, devices, simulators, and 
simulation. Currently, $9.5 million is needed to begin


the second phase construction of the lab.
  Mr. President, I again thank the distinguished chairman, Ranking 
Member Byrd, Chairman Burns, and Ranking Member Murray for their 
commitment and attention to these important issues.

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