Bates Uniform Footwear, a division of Wolverine World Wide, will use these funds to begin boot development, prototyping, initial production, and field testing of an advanced mountaineering boot. The company designed the new mountaineering boot based on soldier feedback regarding equipment performance needs and warfare conditions. Although the Army provides a standard boot for its special operations forces, the product is made from materials and designs consistent with 1980's technology. Soldiers find these boots inadequate for carrying 100lb packs throughout the steep terrain of the Middle East, and often use their own funds to purchase advanced footwear from companies outside the U.S.

"I am proud of Wolverine’s significant contribution to protecting our service men and women," Senator Lincoln said. "Their advancements show how a community like Jonesboro can play an important role for our country’s national defense."

“From their body armor to their boots, our men and women in uniform should have cutting-edge equipment at their disposal,” Senator Pryor said.  “I’m pleased we successfully secured funding for Bates Uniform Footwear so these boots can be manufactured right here in Jonesboro." 

“This country has a responsibility to provide our men and women in the armed forces with the highest quality equipment to get the job done,” Congressman Berry said. “I am proud that Arkansas will play a role in this project which will not only improve the effectiveness of our military, but prevent our Special Operations Forces from using their own paychecks to buy boots from companies overseas.”

The U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate finalized the Fiscal Year 2006 Defense Appropriations bill today and sent the measure to the President for signature.