U.S. House Approves Funding for FY2005 Military Construction in Conference Report

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Cole announced funds for Oklahoma projects that were included in the FY 2005 Military Construction Appropriations Conference Report (H.R. 4837). H.R. 4837 that passed today in the U.S. House, 374-0.

The bill contains over $101 million for important construction projects in Oklahoma. Over $91 million of that total will be for projects in Oklahoman's Fourth Congressional District.

"I am very pleased that these requests for funding were included in the final version of the legislation. These projects provide funding for training facilities and housing for our troops and their families," Congressman Tom Cole said. "Oklahoma bases are very important to the overall effectiveness of our military and I will continue to work in Congress to make sure their needs are met.

Congressman Cole and the Oklahoma Delegation worked to include the following funds in the H.R. 4837:

• $47 million for the construction of 247 family housing units at Fort Sill.
• $13.1 million for the third phase of the Consolidated Maintenance Complex at Fort Sill.
• $14.4 million for the Vehicle Maintenance Facility at Fort Sill.
• $3.4 million for the Field Operations Building at Fort Sill.
• $5.4 million for additions and alterations to the hydrant fuel system at Tinker Air Force Base.
• $8 million for an addition to the integrated support facility at Tinker Air Force Base.
• $3.2 million was added for a Multi-Purpose Machine Gun Range at Camp Gruber Training Center.
• $7 million for the base civil engineering complex at Altus Air Force Base.

This legislation will provide $5.3 billion for military construction projects and $4.2 billion for family housing.

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