Defense:
I now serve on the Defense Appropriations subcommittee, which determines funding levels for the U.S. Military, its programs, systems, and acquisitions, including Redstone Arsenal.
I am proud to represent Redstone Arsenal, which is home to the U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command (AMCOM), the Space and Missile Defense Command (SMDC), numerous Program Executive Offices (PEO), and major components of the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) and the Missile Defense Agency (MDA). Thousands of workers from around the world have made North Alabama their home and are making a difference on a daily basis. In addition, thousands of workers from North Alabama are working in Cummings Research Park - the 2nd Largest Research Park in the USA - and making contributions that ultimately help today and tomorrow's warfighter.
Thousands of workers from North Alabama work hard to help fight the War on Terrorism. Since September 11, about 10,000 Alabama Guardsmen and Reservists have been called to active duty. It is important to remember that a number of our friends and family have made the ultimate sacrifice while serving in the War against Terror and many more have returned home wounded. Although many of our friends have come home, my thoughts and prayers are with the soldiers who remain in harm's way.
Missile Defense remains a critical centerpiece in North Alabama's defense portfolio. Over 3,000 people in North Alabama are employed by Missile Defense and we need to continue to fund these technologies at the highest levels possible.
We have worked with our community leaders, the Army, the DOD and others to ensure that the Arsenal had good facilities for its current work, but also to make it ready for new and greater responsibilities and missions.
The Base Realignment and Closure Commission's decisions are a great shot in the arm for Redstone. Redstone will receive significant parts of the U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA), the U.S. Army Materiel Command (AMC), the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command (SMDC), the United States Army Security Assistance Command (USASAC), and the Aviation Technical Test Center (ATTC). These recommendations are expected to bring at least 5,000 jobs to Redstone. That number grows significantly higher when additional contractors are considered.
Now that we know what our community has gained as a result of BRAC, it is now time for our community to focus on meeting the demands for the future growth of the community.
2008 Defense Press Releases from Representative Cramer:
Cramer Hails Largest Increase in Veterans Funding
(January 18, 2008)
