David Thomas: “I just simply want to tell you that this Camp Guernsey is a very important part of the National Guard, not only for…”

“I just simply want to tell you that this Camp Guernsey is a very important part of the National Guard, not only for Wyoming, but it is also the training facility for a good many of the units surrounding Wyoming. It is an artillery unit with a range there. So, as the Senator said, this was inadvertently left out of the accelerated budget process. It combines the support and maintenance shop. This is a very compelling need here. Three tenants have occupied the same building since 1948. The building is environmentally in noncompliance, with problems of ventilation and electrical systems. The National Guard Bureau has identified seven serious risk assessment discrepancies, as the Senator has pointed out. We have, as was mentioned, the letter from the National Guard Association, the letter from the Director of the Army National Guard, written in support of this funding. The original funding actually was $12 million. Now it is less than that. Mr. President, as we downsize, of course, we call on the Guard and the Reserve to carry more of the load. This, I think, is part of that. So, Mr. President, I will not take any more time. But I certainly ask for support from our colleagues for this important National Guard addition.”