Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - December 19, 2007
Contact: BRIAN PERRY: 601-932-4647

PICKERING: $70 MILLION FOR THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT PROJECTS
$13,370,000 in funding for four Meridian projects

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – Congressman Chip Pickering announces more than $70 million in federal funding for projects in Mississippi’s Third Congressional District.  “Together with Senators Cochran and Lott, and Congressman Wicker, we secured funding for critical agriculture, energy, infrastructure, health and research projects across the state,” Pickering said.  He continued, “In Meridian, these funds strengthen the Naval Air Station and Key Field, and provide assistance to the Hope Village for Children.”

The House of Representatives passed the omnibus bill (HR 2764) today, encompassing 11 of the 12 annual appropriation bills, and providing $473.5 billion in discretionary spending for fiscal year 2008.  It includes $70 billion for military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, and $11 billion for a border fence, emergency drought relief, and funding for veterans. The Senate already passed the measure and President George W. Bush is expected to sign it.

Meridian Projects:

$6,770,000 – Fire Station at Naval Air Station Meridian

$6,100,000 – Improvements for Key Field

$291,000 – Regional Counterdrug Training Academy

$209,000 – Hope Village for Children

Two of Pickering’s long-term projects in Congress also received funding in this legislation.  The measure includes $188 million in funding for the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, $24.6 million of which is to acquire land at the new site.  The Energy Policy Act of 2005 included the Pickering Strategic Petroleum Reserve Amendment that directed the Department of Energy to select one or more new sites, and to commence with the administrative and environmental processes necessary to create additional reserve facilities. This led to the selection of the Richton, Mississippi salt domes as a future SPR facility location.

The measure also includes $868,875 for Pickering's National Veterinary Medical Service Act signed into law in 2003.  The act encourages veterinary assistance in underserved areas to guard against foreign and domestic disease outbreaks or agro-terrorist threats by helping graduates repay student loans for their term of service.

The legislation contains more than $300 million in funding for projects in, or partnering with, Mississippi. Some projects will be affected by a 1.6% across the board budget cut negotiated by House conservatives and the White House to reduce spending.

Congressman Chip Pickering represents Mississippi’s Third Congressional District and serves on the House Energy and Commerce Committee.  This is his sixth term.