NEWS FROM
VERMONT SENATORS PATRICK LEAHY AND JIM JEFFORDS

PRESIDENT SIGNS MILITARY CONSTRUCTION BILL,
INCLUDING $5.6 M. FOR VERMONT AIR GUARD

WASHINGTON (Tues., Nov. 6) -- Vermont’s U.S. senators announced today that the Vermont Air National Guard will receive $5.6 million for the construction of a new maintenance complex. Senator Patrick Leahy and Senator Jim Jeffords included the provision in the annual Military Construction Appropriations Bill, which was signed by President Bush Monday.

The Vermont Air Guard, based at Burlington International Airport, now uses a converted hangar, built in 1947, for its vehicle maintenance work. The Senators said the importance of a new facility was highlighted by the recent call-up to active duty of 139 Vermont Air Guardsmen.

Jeffords said, "The need for this new facility was evident. The present space is inefficient and unhealthy, and it does not lend itself to training, readiness and morale. I am very pleased to see that this new facility will be a reality. The men and women of the Vermont Air National Guard deserve nothing less."

Leahy said, "The nation quickly turned to the Vermont Air National Guard after Sept. 11, and Vermonters now are skillfully patrolling the skies over New York City. This maintenance building will help them perform missions like this more suitably and more safely. It will also take the Vermont Air Guard into the future by freeing up critical flight-line space for operations and new initiatives."

Vermont Adjutant General Martha Rainville said, "This is some very positive news at a difficult time. This building is the final component of our master plan and is an important facility for our personnel. I want to thank Senator Jeffords and Senator Leahy for continuing to provide the resources to the Vermont National Guard so that we can continue to perform our critical missions."

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