FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 11, 2000


SCHUMER, BOEHLERT URGE AIR FORCE TO ACT IMMEDIATELY ON ROME RESEARCH LAB

In Letter To Air Force Chief, Legislators Say Construction Can Begin With Air Force's Approval

US Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY) and US Representative Sherwood Boehlert (R-New Hartford) today wrote Air Force Secretary F. Whitten Peters to expedite the Air Force's construction of the Rome Consolidated Intelligence and Reconnaisance Laboratory at the Rome Research Site. In addition, both Schumer and Boehlert have individually called Peters to urge him to begin construction.

The cost of the $25.8 million facility will be shared between the federal government and the State of New York. The state contribution will be available after a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is signed by the Air Force and the State of New York. New York is expected to forward this MOU to the Air Force in the next few days.

"New York State stands ready to sign the MOU between the State and the Air Force, with the money following shortly thereafter. Now the Air Force must take action," Schumer and Boehlert stated in their letter.

"The significant operational enhancements and vastly improved security considerations associated with this consolidated facility merit its expedited construction, and we urge the Air Force to act immediately," Schumer and Boehlert wrote.

"The Air Force has continually stated its strong support to move forward with this project to provide a consolidated modern, and efficient facility to support C4I research, future C4I technology, and the creation of the Air & Space Agency. The Service has also indicated that failure to consolidate this facility will constrain the Air Force Research Laboratory from meeting the Air Force C4I technology development needs," Schumer and Boehlert continued.

Schumer and Boehlert successfully inserted language into the Fiscal Year 2000 Military Construction Appropriations Bill that fully funded the Air Force portion of the project. In addition, they inserted language into the Defense Appropriations Bill that allows the Air Force to receive up to $13 million from the State of New York to assist with construction of the facility.

A copy of the letter is attached.

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