[May 19, 2009] FY 2010 Appropriations Requests Tweet May 19, 2009 (Congressional Documents and Publications/ContentWorks via COMTEX) -- $3,000,000 for University of Illinois Extension - National MarketMaker Network University of Illinois Extension 214 Mumford Hall West Gregory Drive Urbana, IL 61801 Why this is a good use of taxpayer funds: The University of Illinois is requesting federal funding to bring on-line at least 25 state MarketMaker sites in the next three years. Once the National MarketMaker Network is running with 25 - 30 states, the plan is to implement a sponsorship revenue model that will sustain and expand this project indefinitely. University of Illinois Extension will extend its MarketMaker information technology platform to a national level that will enable food producers, processors, wholesalers and retailers electronic access to geographically-referenced data, thus enhancing the opportunity for food and agricultural entrepreneurs to identify and develop new and profitable markets and improve the efficiency and profitability of food systems in the United States and globally. The University of Illinois leads a multi-state partnership of Land Grant institutions and state agricultural agencies, which was formed to build a national network of interconnected MarketMaker sites. This network creates a common currency of valuable marketing data that promises to stimulate food and agriculturally related e-commerce. The goal is to bring on-line at least 25 state MarketMaker sites in the next three years. Once the National MarketMaker Network is running with 25 - 30 states, the plan is to implement a sponsorship revenue model that will sustain and expand this project indefinitely. $1,000,000 for University of Illinois - Illinois Center for One Medicine, One Health University of Illinois 231 LAC College of Veterinary Medicine 1008 Hazelwood Drive Urbana, IL 61802 Why this is a good use of taxpayer funds: The University of Illinois is requesting federal funding to develop an Illinois Center for One Medicine, One Health. The proposed Illinois Center aims to focus on research, training and outreach efforts on three related areas: The improvement of our society's preparedness and response to natural and intentional exposures of biological, chemical and physical agents; understanding disease processes that occur at the interface of human and animal activities and their effects on the environment; the development of safe and sustainable food production systems, which are ecologically sound and economically viable. Globally, we are faced with new and re-emerging threats associated with changes in world economies and production systems, an exploding human population, an increasing demand for animal based protein in human diets and the encroachment of human activities on natural areas. There is significant need to cross-train health professionals so that, in the future, collaborations and communication between human, animal and ecosystem health experts are the standard and not the exception. The lack of public health personnel co-trained in the complexities of animal production systems, ecosystems and human public health interventions limits the development and implementation of public health policy that could improve public health. $1,000,000 for University of Illinois - Soybean Disease Biotech Center University of Illinois 211 Mumford Hall, MC-710 West Gregory Drive Urbana, IL 61801 Why this is a good use of taxpayer funds: The University of Illinois is requesting federal funding to support the Soybean Disease Biotech Center. The objective of the soybean research appropriation is to identify and implement useful technologies and strategies to protect the U.S. soybean crop. The Soybean Disease Biotechnology Center is located within the National Soybean Research Laboratory (NSRL) at the University of Illinois and provides a first line of defense against major soybean diseases, especially the soybean cyst nematode (SCN), that threaten the industry. About 15 percent of the total U.S. soybean production is lost to diseases each year. In 2008 this loss amounted to over 387 million bushels of soybeans worth more than $4 billion. Increasing yield is critical for meeting the needs of a growing world population that requires new fuel, feed, and food solutions. The Center is bringing the power of new scientific advances in structural, comparative, and functional genomics and genetic transformation to bear on SCN and other disease threats, such as soybean rust. Center researchers are working to identify and create new and improved mechanisms of disease tolerance and resistance to protect the soybean crop and increase profitability throughout the industry. $1,000,000 for University of Illinois - World Food and Health Initiative University of Illinois 211 Mumford Hall, MC-710 West Gregory Drive Urbana, IL 61801 Why this is a good use of taxpayer funds: The University of Illinois is requesting federal funding to launch the World Food and Health Initiative on the foundations of the Future Foods Initiative, expanding its scope and reach more people around the world with nutritional solutions to health issues. Multidisciplinary research approach to promote optimal human health by studying novel attributes of food. Researchers investigate relationships between functional compounds in food and reduced incidence of chronic diseases in humans; the stability and functionality of these compounds before and after processing and storage; and the optimal processing procedures and packaging methods to ensue minimal risk from intentional or unintentional pathogenic contamination. Other activities examine consumer acceptance and marketing patterns of healthful foods and social trends and environmental issues that affect the feasibility, production, marketing and consumption of these foods. The project has a significant outreach component, focused on food, nutrition, and health in developing countries, such as Botswana, Honduras, Haiti and Vietnam. SUBCOMMITTEE ON COMMERCE, JUSTICE AND SCIENCE $520,000 for Chicago Jesuit Academy - After-School Enrichment Program Chicago Jesuit Academy 5058 West Jackson Blvd. Chicago, IL 60644 Why this is a good use of taxpayer funds: The Chicago Jesuit Academy, a tuition-free college prep middle school for disadvantaged students on Chicago's West Side, is requesting $520,000 to augment the extended-day and extended-year aspect of its program to provide a successful alternative to the violence, drugs and gang activity prevalent in the surrounding community. The After-School Enrichment program is a mixture of clubs and sports as well as mentoring and counseling programs and activities aimed at discouraging students from becoming involved with gangs and drugs. All Chicago Jesuit Academy students participate in mandatory extracurricular activities at the conclusion of their traditional academic day including sports programs (soccer, basketball, baseball and football) that promote physical health and develop each student's appreciation of the benefits of teamwork, self-sacrifice, and hard work. Students also have the opportunity to participate in extracurricular enrichment activities such as jazz band, fine arts, chess club and film club. By participating in these enrichment activities - which also keep students off the streets during the afternoon - students develop their writing and creative thinking skills while learning to work in small groups with students who have different opinions and ideas. All extracurricular activities are designed to cultivate each student's talents and promote self-discipline, leadership and creativity--virtues that can counter the violence, gangs and drugs that plague the communities surrounding the Academy. $750,000 for Chicago Project for Violence Prevention - CeaseFire University of Illinois at Chicago School of Public Health 1603 West Taylor Street Chicago, IL 60612-4394 Why this is a good use of taxpayer funds: The University of Illinois at Chicago is requesting continued federal funding to support Ceasefire, a gang violence reduction initiative started in 2000. Past financial support for CeaseFire has enabled it to continue without interruption on Chicago's west side while funds from the State of Illinois have expanded CeaseFire to other communities in Chicago and an number of downstate cities; local foundations have supported the training and technical support the field staff has needed to do their work. The program has shown a demonstrated record of success in reducing gang and violent crimes in the neighborhoods it has targeted throughout the west side of the city. Requested is $750,000 to maintain efforts in two West Side neighborhoods and build out the CeaseFire Model to reach an even greater number of individuals who are at high risk of shooting someone else or being shot themselves. Funds will principally be used for on-the-ground personnel and to support an office in the targeted communities and for other activities that will further the reduction of shootings and killings. $700,000 for Will County - Integrated Criminal Justice Information Initiative Will County 302 N. Chicago St. Joliet, IL 60435-4078 Why this is a good use of taxpayer funds: The Will County Integrated Criminal Justice Initiative is a six year $4.3 million multi-phased, multi-jurisdictional project to facilitate the integration of disparate information systems among Will County criminal justice departments into a core system capable of data sharing under a Global Justice XML Model. The integration initiative represents a cooperative venture between county, local, and state criminal justice entities with representatives on the Will County Criminal Justice Integration Committee. The Committee's mission is to improve public safety and improve effectiveness, while reducing expenses related to non-integrated criminal justice systems. At the end of this year, a substantial portion of Phase I was completed. The operational core computer system has sufficient capacity to meet the full operational needs for the Sheriff's office if required. The system has been designed to allow for additional growth and capacity as required. The initial plan to allow sharing of critical information and data to six departments was expanded to include over twenty police departments and four county agencies. The core system was located in a high security facility that included backup systems to better ensure uninterrupted operation. $185,000 for SGA Youth and Family Services - Juvenile Justice Program SGA Youth & Family Services 11 East Adams, Suite 1500 Chicago, Illinois 60603 Why this is a good use of taxpayer funds: The SGA Juvenile Justice Program provides services to discourage and rehabilitate at-risk youth, 9-12 years of age, and adolescents, 13-19 years of age, so they will not become (re)offenders. In particular, the program will also provide services to address the distinct needs and challenges or youthful female offenders. This evidenced based program will provide prevention education, individual, family and group counseling, and case management services to 120 at-risk students in two Chicago schools (elementary and high school). Services will be provided by a team consisting of a master's level clinician and a bachelor level case manager who will intensively work with at-risk and youthful offenders. Based upon strengths and needs identified during assessment, participants will be provided intensive services and will be eligible for case management and counseling services. Home visiting services will be provided to youth that are on probation or have been released from a detention center, with the frequency of home visits increasing as the risk or offenses are greater. The program's goals are to reinforce the protective factors that inhibit juvenile delinquency, and to reduce the rates of recidivism of program participants. This includes promoting pro-social behaviors, improving family and peer relations, and increasing school achievement and graduation. $200,000 for Village of Oak Lawn - Law Enforcement Technology Village of Oak Lawn 9446 South Raymond Avenue Oak Lawn, Illinois 60453 Why this is a good use of taxpayer funds: Oak Lawn seeks to acquire and deploy village wide camera systems and associated hardware to permit first responders to view and access interior and exterior camera system data during emergencies. Cameras in place today are in Oak Lawn Schools, Train Station, Parking Garage, and key intersections but they are not linked to personal computers in police vehicles. Acquisition and installation of this equipment will enhance public safety and emergency response as officers in the field will be able to view and assess various situations from their police vehicles, allowing for improved assessment of developing situations and better response for public safety and crime prevention. $270,000 for Resurrection Health Care - Multi-Systematic Therapy Resurrection Health Care Resurrection Behavioral Health 7435 West Talcott Avenue Chicago, IL 60631 Why this is a good use of taxpayer funds: Federal funding will support continuation and expansion of Resurrection Behavioral Health's intensive, evidence-based family stabilization program, "Multi-Systemic Therapy (MST)". This program treats anti-social children or at-risk youth presenting behavioral problems - such as truancy, aggression toward self/others, runaway behavior, and juvenile delinquency- in a comprehensive manner that engages the family. The program otherwise risks discontinuation due to funding constraints. Successful behavioral treatment involves the interplay of numerous complex factors. MST is designed to work with the entire family on an intensive basis and, as appropriate, provide services in the home or community. Currently, an average of 22 families are served annually under the program. Because MST calls for such intensive family involvement - as well as with local schools, primary care physicians, and community mental health providers - case loads are intentionally kept small and family-driven. $2,800,000 for Computer Evidence Recovery Unit - Operation Cyber Shield Illinois State Police 801 South Seventh Street P.O. Box 19461 Springfield, IL 62794-9461 Why this is a good use of taxpayer funds: The Illinois State Police - Computer Evidence Recovery Unit is requesting federal funding to replace and upgrade out-of-date computer evidence laboratory hardware, software, work stations and building infrastructure. The equipment would consist of state of the art mobile data recovery unit, forensic data recovery computers, writing block devices, laboratory computer workstations, software upgrades, uninterrupted power supplies, data storage devices, printers and data recovery training for computer evidence recovery personnel. The Illinois State Police is requested to conduct computer and digital media evidence recovery by state, local and federal law enforcement agencies. Current software and equipment are antiquated and experiencing a high failure rate. Purchase of this requested equipment would coincide with a new Illinois initiative to establish an Internet Crime Unit with investigators located in every investigative zone throughout the state. $750,000 for YWCA Lake County - Project SUCCEED initiative YWCA Lake County 2133 Belvidere Road Waukegan, Illinois 60085 Why this is a good use of taxpayer funds: YWCA Lake County seeks to enhance its work with at-risk youth and parents whose profiles indicate a high risk for a child's school failure and entry into the criminal justice system. This initiative focuses on expanding successful services in four areas critical for long-term family/economic stability and school success: 1) youth development after-school programs, 2) family management, 3) economic empowerment, 4) healthcare. All of the project's wrap-around services are provided in Spanish and English to help low-income women, girls and families build stable, self-sufficient lives. The YWCA will work with at least 800 at-risk parents and children at risk for juvenile crime or school failure, in particular, women of color, who do not speak English at home, who lack a high school diploma/GED, or who are incarcerated or under court supervision; teen mothers; families living at 200% or below the federal poverty level; and grandparents raising grandchildren. We will work with 250 youth whose family profile puts them at risk of school failure and falling into the criminal justice system. $150,000 for Village of Richton Park - Public Safety Projects Village of Richton Park 4455 West Sauk Trail Richton Park, Illinois 60471 Why this is a good use of taxpayer funds: The local police and fire department are requesting federal funding to support the purchase of in-car radios and a public safety generator to ensure that the Village of Richton Park remains safe and capable of dealing with emergencies. The local police department currently uses a high band frequency for communications on portable radios, which is problematic because the federal government has mandated conversion to a narrow band frequency by 2010. The cost of the upgrades is estimated to be around $60,000. The nationwide migration to a narrow band frequency will address issues of inoperability by allowing end users to communicate with other public safety agencies not on their frequencies. Additionally, the local police and fire departments are supported by a backup generator that can no longer be fixed because its spare parts are unattainable. The generator was installed in the early 1970s and has exceeded its useful life. An upgraded generator would support the police and fire departments that provide public service during storms and major events when power is not available. The generator powers the 911 dispatch center and, in a serious emergency where power is lost, provides a necessary back-up system for critical local services. The cost of a modern generator that has the systematic capability to provide power to all the emergency services is $90,000. $10,000,000 for Statewide Terrorism and Intelligence Center - Statewide Gang Intelligence Database Illinois State Police 801 South Seventh Street P.O. Box 19461 Springfield, IL 62794-9461 Why this is a good use of taxpayer funds: The Illinois State Police - Statewide Terrorism and Intelligence Center is requesting federal funding to upgrade current database capabilities to allow for a more efficient tracking of gang and violent crimes. In order to track and analyze the widely recognized gang problem facing the state of Illinois, a comprehensive database which is accessible by all law enforcement officers is imperative. This project would be undertaken in cooperation with the Justice Department's National Gang Intelligence Center. The upgrades to the database would allow the Illinois State Police to merge information from local and county police agencies' gang and violent crimes information systems and allow for national sharing of this information. Information will be stored in and disseminated from the Statewide Terrorism and Intelligence Center, the designated Intelligence Fusion Center for the state of Illinois. $500,000 for South Suburban Coalition - SouthCom Dispatch Technical Upgrades SouthCom Dispatch 21113 Dettmering Dr. Matteson, Il 60443 Why this is a good use of taxpayer funds: The member communities of SouthCom are requesting $500,000 in federal funding for the implementation of a high speed, fiber optic broadband network supporting public safety, rather than the current analogue CAMA network. New technologies are increasingly IP based and the ability of SouthCom to both accept, process and disseminate information, gathered from multiple sources, will be required. Fiber Optic Networking is required to link each of the Public Safety facilities in each of the four communities to the SouthCom dispatch center. This fiber optic system will provide key infrastructure to support integration of our voice, video and data communications. This system will also provide us with continued communication capability should public systems not be available during an emergency incident. $400,000 for Guardian Angel Community Services - Transitional Living Program Guardian Angel Community Services 1550 Plainfield Rd Joliet, IL 60435-3752 Why this is a good use of taxpayer funds: Guardian Angel Community Services' Transitional Living Program will provide housing, counseling and supportive services for women and their children who have fled abusive relationships. Each family will be able to stay for two years, pay rent according to their income on a sliding fee scale, and benefit from comprehensive on-site supportive services and linkage to Guardian Angel's services as well as other community service providers. This Transitional Living Program has been designed to: accommodate women with children; offer each woman/family control over their living conditions; offer safety and security in a well-maintained building; accommodate on-site assistance and guidance through the presence of a caseworker and the assistance of a full time case aid. Guardian Angel's goal for each woman/family in the Transitional Living Program is that within two years they will acquire the resources and skills they need - education, employment, financial management, parenting, and personal development - to secure and maintain permanent housing and live independent, violence-free lives. The program is designed to become self-sufficient after three years. Federal funds are required to meet the significant start-up costs, including personnel, supplies, equipment and contractual costs, and to allow for the program to become self-sufficient. SUBCOMMITTEE ON DEFENSE $5,800,000 for Alion Science and Technology - Advanced Manufacturing Technology Alion Science & Technology 10 West 35th Street Chicago, IL 60616 Why this is a good use of taxpayer funds: Alion Science and technology is requesting federal funds to expand the research and development of sophisticated technologies for the department of defense into an automated system capable of meeting production quantity needs. Confronting the dual challenges of innovation and technology insertion, this program will focus primarily to application of micro factory and laser cladding technologies to meet needs of the military for production, operations and sustainment. Each technology is being applied and producing products--in a step-wise program of technology readiness growth. Each technology is now ready to be automated--to satisfy challenges of production at rates needed for military applications. Rockford area small businesses will be competent in the application of the advanced manufacturing technologies. Additionally, manufacturing technologies developed will be available for commercial application and Rockford area companies will be positioned to produce products for commercial and military customers--resulting in economic development and job growth. $5,000,000 for Rush University Medical Center - Advanced Trauma Training Course Rush University Medical Center 1653 West Congress Parkway Chicago, Illinois 60612 Why this is a good use of taxpayer funds: Rush University Medical Center established a collaborative relationship with the Illinois Army National Guard (IANG) to train military first responders, and strengthen Illinois' disaster response and public health readiness. Rush's Advanced Trauma Training Program trains soldiers to provide effective medical care to military casualties on the battlefield. The program is available to all members of IANG regardless of background; and the training is tailored for each trainee's capacity. Normally it's a four-day long workshop of four modules: (1) Trauma Didactic Training; (2) Trauma Simulation Laboratory Training; (3) Trauma Animal (Procedural) Laboratory Training; (4) Trauma Center Training. The workshop is divided into 2, two-day sessions in order to comply with the weekend training commitments of IANG. Upon completion, the IANG member is required to complete a certification examination in International Trauma Life Support. Results from the After Action Review of previous courses have resulted in the inclusion of a Post Traumatic Stress Disorder module. In 2002, Rush and the Illinois Department of Military Affairs signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). "The MOU reflects the mutual desire of both parties to utilize their respective expertise, technologies and programs in an effort to help communities in the State of Illinois to reduce their vulnerability to natural and bioterrorist initiated disasters and provide medical care and comfort to the citizens that have suffered from illness or injury as a result." This program is designed to accomplish the goals laid out by the Illinois Department of Military Affairs. $2,000,000 for Illinois Army National Guard - Annual Budget Increase Illinois Army National Guard 1301 N. MacArthur Blvd Springfield, IL 62702 Why this is a good use of taxpayer funds: The Illinois National Guard is requesting federal funds to design and construct authorized additions to existing facilities to provide the authorized space criteria for NGR 415-10 and NG PAM 415-12. Multiple facilities are lacking the authorized square footage; this funding would provide some relief to the lack of space for the units. This funding supports the Annual Sustainment Restoration and Modernization of Army National Guard facilities. $10,000,000 for Honeywell International - Bio-Synthetic Paraffinic Kerosene Production Honeywell International 50 E. Algonquin Rd Des Plaines, IL 60017 Why this is a good use of taxpayer funds: UOP, a Honeywell company, has developed a process to make Bio-Synthetic Paraffinic Kerosene (BSPK) "Green" jet fuel from sustainable bio-feedstocks, using technology developed with the Defense Advanced Research Project Agency (DARPA). These Green fuels are direct drop-in replacements for ordinary petroleum fuel, are interchangeable with existing automotive and aircraft engines and are compatible with existing infrastructure (gas stations, pipelines, storage, etc.). UOP has already produced over 6,000 gallons of BSPK jet fuel from a variety of bio-feed stocks including algae, camelina, soy, and jatropha oils for engine tests and demonstrations, including demonstration flights by three teams: (1) Air New Zealand, Boeing, Rolls Royce; (2) Continental Airlines, Boeing, GE, CFM; (3) Japan Air Lines, Boeing, Pratt&Whitney. Planned Department of Defense efforts will require over 450,000 gallons of affordable BSPK "green" jet fuel for full testing, qualification and acceptance by the military and future production of millions of gallons annually. Current BSPK production facilities at small US based refineries are insufficient to produce higher quantities. Government support to expand biofuels production is critical to ensure success, through appropriate use of the Defense Production Act process. Commitment by DOD for the scale-up in production will assist the growth of the new biofuel industry segment, which will in turn lead to many new "green" jobs. Honeywell requests to add $10 million in FY 2010 to the Defense Production Act/Title III account to scale-up the existing infrastructure to produce BSPK green jet fuel for fuel development, certification, production, and adoption for DOD energy security requirements. $4,000,000,000 for United States Air Force - C-17 Globemaster III aircrafts The Boeing Company 100 North Riverside Chicago, Illinois 60606 Why this is a good use of taxpayer funds: With a growing need for strategic aircraft to meet global airlift needs additional C-17's are the only solution that meets this critical shortfall in military capability. $4 Billion procures 15 C-17s, keeping open the only existing mobility aircraft production facility in the U.S. The C-17 program is supported nationwide by 650 Suppliers in 43 States providing 30,000 direct jobs with an annual economic impact of $8 billion. $5,000,000 for Honeywell International - Catalytic Oxidation Integrated Demonstration Honeywell International Honeywell - Specialty Materials - UOP 50 E. Algonquin Rd DesPlaines, IL 60017 Why this is a good use of taxpayer funds: Catalytic Oxidation (CATOX) is an advanced technology that is capable of providing protection to warfighters, first responders, and civilians against the adverse effects of chemical and biological weapons. CATOX destroys a wide range of toxins in a manner similar to automotive catalytic converters and improves upon current breathing protection systems that rely on charcoal filters to capture and collect toxins. Under a contract with the Army Research Office and Edgewood Research facility that ended in FY 2008, Honeywell successfully demonstrated a stationary CATOX system that provides breathable air for Army field shelters and tents. A second Army-funded program is currently integrating a CATOX system into a mobile Army Chem/Bio laboratory to treat toxic discharge. Future development efforts are needed to adapt CATOX for military vehicles, such as the M1 Abrams Tank, Stryker, Future Combat System, and civilian emergency vehicles. Catalysts for this project are being developed in Des Plains, IL. Test results from the current Army contracts have validated CATOX technology for integration into shelter and portable lab programs. Adaptation of this technology for Army combat vehicles will ensure enhanced collective protection for warfighters. Additional funding is needed for a full-scale, integrated demonstration of CATOX technology in realistic environments on military vehicles, such as the M-1 Abrams tank and the Bradley and Stryker vehicles. $2,000,000 for 3M Company - Electrolyte Additives for Improved Lithium Ion Battery Performance 3M Company Electronic Materials and Manufacturing Division 3M Center 224-03-N-11 St. Paul, MN 55144-1000 Why this is a good use of taxpayer funds: To radically improve lithium salts as additives for fundamental improvements in lithium ion batteries. This would expand the electric and hybrid vehicle industry, helping us with our energy needs, plus help differentiate the U.S. as a battery cell manufacturer. Consumer and military electronics would also benefit. Current battery production is mainly outside of the country and the recent stimulus package focuses on bringing these capabilities to the U.S. This project would help provide a potentially evolutionary material to enable this industry and produce jobs here. 3M has over thirty years of history of developing materials for batteries, including millions of dollars invested toward battery additives development and commercialization. This project would expand from our unique commercial salt HQ115 capabilities and identify, develop, evaluate and scale new salt materials to deliver improved battery performance - specifically high temperature and high voltage performance. Funding would cover Phase 1: Synthesis and initial selection of lithium salts, Phase 2: Evaluation of these salts; Phase 3: Selection of the best additive salt candidates with a scalable process for pilot plant production. This would also include an optimized electrolyte formulation and cell construction with corresponding data plus a number of 18650 cells for evaluation. The Army Research Laboratory would like 3M to work with them. This would also support DOE's initiative to provide battery cell manufacturing and differentiation into the U.S. Development of this project would occur in Cordova, IL. Report Language for United States Navy - F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter aircraft Multi-Year Procurement The Boeing Company 100 North Riverside Chicago, Illinois 60606 Why this is a good use of taxpayer funds: The Navy's new F/A-18E/F Block II Super Hornet is the next generation strike fighter and the aviation backbone of the Navy's aircraft carriers for the next 25 years. Employing the Advanced Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, smart weapons, advanced stealth, and other state of the art survivability features, the Super Hornet provides exceptional capability at an affordable price. The growing Navy tactical aviation shortfall needs to be addressed with FY-10 Congressional approval of permissive Appropriations Bill language allowing the Secretary of the Navy to enter into a third Multi-Year Procurement (MYP) contract for the F/A-18 program (FY-10 thru FY-14). By providing MYPIII appropriations in FY-10, Congress will give the Navy the option to address the inventory shortfall with an affordable and capable system, maintain a competitive industrial base for U.S. aviation requirements, and preserve a current tactical aviation production line. This third MYP contract is critical to ensure savings of hundreds of millions of dollars over single year procurements starting in FY-10 and beyond and will begin to address the Navy's growing TACAIR shortfall. $4,199,100,000 Department of Defense - Future Combat Systems model The Boeing Company 100 North Riverside Chicago, Illinois 60606 Why this is a good use of taxpayer funds: The Army's Future Combat System Brigade Combat Team (FCS BCT) is a joint system of systems consisting of a network and a combination of manned and unmanned systems that use advanced network architecture to enable levels of joint connectivity, situational awareness and understanding, and synchronized operations previously unachievable. It is designed to interact with and enhance the Army's most valuable weapon - the Soldier, and will network existing systems, systems already under development, and future systems to be developed to meet the requirements of the Army's Future Force. When fully operational, FCS will provide the Army and the joint force unprecedented capability to see the enemy, engage him on our terms, and defeat him on the 21st Century battlefield. The Army's first modernization effort in nearly four decades, FCS is designed for "full spectrum" operations, but is adaptable to traditional warfare as well as complex, irregular warfare in various rural and urban terrains. It can also be adapted to civil support, such as disaster relief. $60,000,000 for Department of Defense - Impact Aid DOD Education Agency 4040 North Fairfax Drive, Webb Bldg Arlington, VA 22203 Why this is a good use of taxpayer funds: Department of Defense Impact Aid provides supplemental assistance to public school districts that educate the largest numbers of children of military personnel to address the children's unique needs, especially at this time of increased and longer deployments. Education is an important quality of life issue and is directly related to military readiness. District needs include counseling of children and families of deployed members, force protection requirements of schools on military installations, high special education costs, technology upgrades, and repair and renovation of facilities to address health, safety, ADA, and classroom size concerns. For the past fifteen years, Congress has recognized the importance of supporting local school districts agencies educating children of military personnel and has provided funds in the defense appropriations bill to address this need. The education of a military child is a military readiness issue. Men and women serving our country rely on local school districts to provide quality education and counseling programs in a safe and secure environment for their children. Public schools in the U.S. educate more than 500,000 children of military personnel. Today's military are proud to serve our Nation. We must continue to support them as they deploy to fight the Global war on Terrorism by taking care of their families. $4,000,000 for L-3 Global Security and Engineering Solutions - Janus Integrated Security System for Scott Air Force Base L-3 Global Security and Engineering Solutions 3750 Centerview Drive Chantilly, VA 20151 Why this is a good use of taxpayer funds: TheJanus Integrated Security System (JISS) provides full dimensional protection for persons, facilities and resources at Scott AFB by integrating electronic and physical security systems into a single base-wide system. It provides the framework for fully integrated base defense that ensures U.S. forces can pursue the defeat of any adversary or control of any situation across the threat and conflict environment. JISS will encompass the concept of full spectrum control and include the capabilities for dominant maneuver, precision engagement, focused logistics, and full dimensional protection. It will adhere to the traditional principles of defense, but allow for the introduction of new technologies. This allows for the reallocation of force protection manpower assets so they compliment installed systems and results in a more efficient and effective fighting force. JISS will implement at Scott AFB advanced electronics such as medium and short range ground-based radars, thermal imagers, CCTV, line and perimeter detection, microwave sensors, entry and access control and a command and control suite with existing physical security devices. Taxpayers will benefit from the cost effective implementation of JISS at Scott AFB. The protection of the base, especially the airframes will contribute to the safety of the people that live and work at Scott AFB. $4,000,000 for American Foundry Society - Lightweight Casting Solutions American Foundry Society 1695 North Penny Lane Schaumburg, IL 60173 Why this is a good use of taxpayer funds: This program will improve manufacturing readiness and U.S. domestic capacity by developing and implementing new casting technologies, creating advancements in lightweight metal alloy properties and performance, and extending the state of the science in net shape manufacturing and rapid prototype/production technology. It will focus on aluminum, magnesium and titanium metals and casting methods to produce various vital components in the quickest time. This will provide DOD lightweight, lowest cost options to other manufacturing methods and foreign suppliers. A critical imperative for ground combat systems is reduced system weight and increased service life while preserving or enhancing system lethality and survivability. To meet these demands the military requires stronger and lighter vehicle components. Traditionally the most flexible, efficient and economical approach for manufacturing these complex, high performance components has been through casting; however, American foundries are closing at an increasing pace and critical technologies and jobs and technologies are being lost to other countries. By strengthening the vital metalworking and casting capabilities that our foundries provide we strengthen our economy and national industrial defense base as well. No longer will we be as dependent on foreign manufacturers and suppliers for critical DoD aerospace and ground system components. The technologies and lightweight metals that are developed can also be used in the commercial sector to produce lighter and stronger vehicles in the most cost efficient and quickest manner. $300,000 for Illinois National Guard - Sparta Training Site Infrastructure Illinois National Guard 1803 N. Hillcrest Dr. Sparta, IL 62286-0151 Why this is a good use of taxpayer funds: Federal funding is requested to design the cantonment site infrastructure to the lay the ground work for future projects. This will provide the utilities layout and road network for the permanent location of the cantonment site in which all the support facilities (HQ building, maintenance facilities, training complex housing and classrooms, dining facilities, etc.) The Sparta Training Site will enhance the Illinois National Guard ability to exploit the site for critical training to ensure the readiness of the force. Infrastructure improvement to the Sparta Training Site will allow for efficient use of taxpayer dollars by expanding the capability and quality of training at an underdeveloped training location. Further, the infrastructure design will provide future jobs to the local economy and potentially make the training site available for use by other state and local agencies. $8,000,000 for Rock Island Arsenal - Support Program Initiative Quad City Development Group 1830 2nd Avenue, Suite 200 Rock Island, Ill., 61201 Why this is a good use of taxpayer funds: The goals of ASPI are to encourage commercial firms to utilizeand invest in Rock Island Arsenal (RIA) facilities to reduce product and ownership costs (overhead). Additionally, ASPI contributes to the increased use of the military industrial base's critical skill sets, thereby enhancing overall readiness levels. The ASPI program requires an initial government investment that spikes initially and then decreases over time, while revenues from the tenant leases increases over time - a long-term gain for the government. In FY-09, it is anticipated that ASPI will return approximately $1M to Rock Island Arsenal - again, this figure will increase over time as existing infrastructure is improved and additional tenants are brought in. As ASPI encourages the commercial use of underutilized facilities aboard Rock Island Arsenal, 1st District business entities could take advantage of the opportunity to lease a remodeled RIA facility or building, and enjoy the secure location that the Arsenal provides. Additionally, 17th District residents are eligible for employment from any business entity that may become part of the ASPI initiative on Rock Island Arsenal. $10,000,000 for Honeywell International - Thermal Management Solutions Honeywell International Honeywell - Specialty Materials - UOP 50 E. Algonquin Rd DesPlaines, IL 60017 Why this is a good use of taxpayer funds: Modern combat aircraft achieve very high performance through the use of advanced engines and avionics operating at extremely high temperatures. Inadequacies in current Thermal Management Systems (TMS) jeopardize aircraft and crew survivability and can damage on-board electronics and mechanical systems. Future aircraft, including a new generation of bombers (Long Range Strike), unmanned and manned reconnaissance, surveillance aircraft and advanced fighters, will feature sophisticated electronics and demand even more advanced Thermal Management Systems. It is essential that aircraft, TMS, avionics, and engines be designed in an integrated approach to achieve energy-efficient aircraft that will enhance the warfighter's capabilities. While the USAF is funding next-generation advanced aircraft, engine and avionics technologies, it has not been able to adequately fund TMS development to provide the technologies needed to solve current or next-generation thermal management challenges on a parallel track. The Air Force Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) noted this shortfall in a study released in March 2008 (SAB-TR-07-05-NP, entitled "United States Air Force Scientific Advisory Board Report on Thermal Management Technology Solutions"). The USAF TMS program dedicated for advanced Thermal Management technology development is called Integrated Vehicle Energy Technology (INVENT) program. Additional funding is required by the USAF to develop TMS component technologies, integrate them into a demonstrator, and test them in realistic conditions. The funding requested will be used for the INVENT Program for TMS development to ensure future TMS capabilities enhance aircraft effectiveness, improve aircraft survivability against advanced threats, and reduce operational cost of aircraft. $2,100,000 for Illinois Army National Guard - Tools for Maintenance Conversion Illinois Army National Guard Statewide Aviation Office 1301 N. MacArthur Blvd Springfield, IL 62702 Why this is a good use of taxpayer funds: The Illinois Army National Guard needs assistance with an unfunded Army mandate that the State "fix forward" as much equipment as possible (alleviating downtime due to the evacuation process and to further streamline maintenance operations). This project requests federal funding for $2.1 million in special tools and tool sets to support the Illinois Army National Guard's Field Maintenance Shops to perform maintenance functions required under two levels of maintenance doctrine. This request brings Illinois into compliance with current Army standards. $12,000,000 for Illinois Army National Guard - UH-72 Helicopter Medical Evacuation Stationing Illinois Army National Guard Statewide Aviation Office 1301 N. MacArthur Blvd Springfield, IL 62702 Why this is a good use of taxpayer funds: The Illinois State Aviation office is requesting federal funding to field and station two UH-72 Helicopters for Medical evacuation purposes across the state. This request is to address the altered fielding and stationing plan released by the Director of the Army National Guard in May 2007 which postponed the delivery of 4 UH-72 Security and Support helicopters from 2010 to 2015 to the Illinois National Guard and eliminated all originally proposed UH-72 Medical Evacuation Helicopters slated for Illinois. Based on this altered plan, forty states will have either UH-72 or UH-60 Blackhawk Medevac assets. Nine of these states will have both, while Illinois will have none. The UH-72 is an extremely valuable Homeland Defense asset. It does not have an overseas wartime mission and would be available exclusively for missions within the state. Each UH-72 Helicopter costs approximately 5 million dollars and the Mission Equipment Package making the helicopter complete is approximately 1 million dollars. $4,500,000 for Magnesium Elektron North America, Inc. - Ultra Light Weight Metallic Armor Magnesium Elektron North America, Inc. 1001 College Street P.O. Box 258 Madison, Il 62060 Why this is a good use of taxpayer funds: As the lightest of all structural metals, and the only metallic material lighter than advanced ceramic armor components, magnesium alloys represent a potential breakthrough in armor technology. Preliminary Army Research Laboratory tests indicate that the newest experimental high-strength magnesium alloy can achieve both improved ballistic performance and a 30% weight savings relative to aluminum. Unlike other advanced armor solutions commercialization of high-strength magnesium alloy armor plate will provide dramatic weight savings for many current and future armor systems, while preventing an expensive paradigm shift away from the traditional employment of metallic armor components. FY10 funds will be used to fund engineering tasks that must be addressed to roll larger sheet and increase volume production. Funds are needed to establish casting and rolling processes to produce the optimal physical properties of high strength magnesium alloys. Funds will also be used to develop constitutive models to predict high strain rate behavior of magnesium alloys to be used in developing new armor. In addition to helping create new jobs, and improve armor for U.S. troops, the Ultra Light Weight Metallic Armor program promotes U.S. energy independence by providing significant weight savings and improved fuel economy for the commercial markets (automotive, aviation & rail). The new magnesium alloy is already undergoing evaluation by the FAA to replace aluminum components on commercial aircraft in an effort to drastically reduce weight and improve fuel efficiency. SUBCOMMITTEE ON FINANCIAL SERVICES AND GENERAL GOVERNMENT $182,000 for South Suburban Coalition - Economic Development Initiative: A Campaign to Fight Redlining Village of Olympia Fields 20701 Governors Highway Olympia Fields, IL 60461 Why this is a good use of taxpayer funds: The requested funding will support Phase II of a comprehensive marketing strategy in south suburban communities to promote e #DAL1234# [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]