FY 2004 National Defense Authorization Act Passes House
Bordallo Amendments Increase Military Academy Appointments for Guam, Fund $1.7 Million Naval Wharf Project 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – November 7, 2003 – Washington, D.C. – Today, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 1588, the Fiscal Year 2004 National Defense Authorization Act.  After passage by the Senate in the coming days, the Act will be transmitted to the President for his signature.  The legislation authorizes all activities of the Department of Defense and has good news for both active and retired military service personnel.  In the legislation, Congress provides for partial concurrent receipt of disabled and retirement pay for disabled veterans, military pay increases by an average of 4.15%, $26 million for a new medical facility at Andersen Air Force Base and requires the Navy to submit a report within 120 days on its future plans to base aircraft carriers.

As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, Congresswoman Madeleine Bordallo successfully included two additional provisions.  The first increases the number of Congressional appointments allowed by the Guam Delegate’s office to each of the U.S. military academies.  Previously, the Guam Delegate was only allocated two slots at a given military academy at any one time; now three slots are available to be filled.  The second provides $1.7 million for the construction of the Victor Wharf Fender System to assist with the docking of the submarine fleet home ported in Guam.

This is the first time since Guam originally gained territorial status that the number of positions at the military academies has been increased.  “Securing another academy nomination will open up additional educational and career opportunities for the young men and women of Guam who are eager to serve our country.  I am proud Guam has so many eligible candidates seeking admission to our nation’s military academies and that Congress recognizes this need,” said Congresswoman Bordallo.

In achieving this new opportunity for Guam, Congresswoman Bordallo worked closely in a bipartisan effort with Chairman John McHugh (R-NY) and Ranking Member Vic Snyder (D-AR) of the Total Force Subcommittee, and Congressman Eni Faleomavaega (D-AS).

The construction of the $1.7 million Victor Wharf Fender System will assist with the docking of the submarine fleet home ported in Guam.  “This authorization builds on the military expansion that is taking place in Guam.  These additional military construction projects are good for the Navy and the Air Force and they will also mean more jobs for our economy.  Additional construction jobs will be created as these projects are contracted to local businesses who hire local workers.  The impact of these jobs will spread to other sectors, creating even further benefits to our economy,” explained Congresswoman Bordallo.

###

Contact: Neil Weare in Washington, D.C., at (202) 225-1188 or Joaquin Perez in Guam at (671) 477-4272.