Published November 1987 — Download PDF of the original newspaper column
Byrd's-Eye View By U.S. Senator Robert C. Byrd More Military Construction Plans for West Virginia One of my ongoing priorities has been to increase West Virginia's participation in national defense projects, and to enlarge the share of defense dollars spent by the federal government in West Virginia. Progress toward those goals was evident in recent Senate passage of the two-year Department of Defense Authorization Bill. At my request, included in that bill are more than $30 million in authorized military improvements and new construction in West Virginia. Aimed primarily at improving West Virginia's military reserve and National Guard facilities, these authorized projects will strengthen our state's traditional role in helping to defend and protect America's national security and worldwide interests. This bill envisions $6.1 million in defense projects in West Virginia in Fiscal Year 1988, and another $23 million in FY 1989. Among the 1988 authorized improvements are: --$1.4 million for a fire suppression system and $1.1 million for a vehicle maintenance shop at the Air National Guard unit at Yeager Airport in Charleston; --$1.3 million to expand the Army Reserve Center and maintenance facility at New Martinsville; --$1 million for an addition to the Army National Guard Armory at Point Pleasant; --$796,000 for Phase One construction of the Army National Guard training facility at Camp Dawson in Preston County; --$436,000 for an Army National Guard maintenance shop addition at Buckhannon. Authorized improvements for FY 1989 are: --$5 million for an Army National Guard aviation support facility, and $3 million for an Army Reserve Center, both at Parkersburg; --$5.8 million for multiple improvements at facilities used by the Charleston Air National Guard; --$3.9 million in additions and improvements for the Martinsburg Air National Guard unit; --$3.5 million for construction of Phases Two and Three at Camp Dawson; --and $650,000 cumulatively for additions and land acquisitions at Guard and Reserve Centers in Buckhannon, Beckley, and Morgantown. In addition, this bill authorizes $600,000 for an Air Force Reserve civil engineering training facility in Morgantown, and an extra $3 million for renovations at Allegany Ballistics Laboratory in Mineral County. The Defense Department Authorization Bill now awaits White House approval. Certainly, this piece of legislation will mean important increases in West Virginia's ability to meet its national defense responsibilities. November 25, 1987