Railroad
spur at Army National Training Center at Fort Irwin
July 14, 2017____ Washington D C, Representative
Paul Cook (R-Apple Valley) voted for HR 2810, the annual National Security
Authorization Bill HR 2810. The bill passed the House overwhelmingly with
bipartisan support.
This year’s Bill takes several vital steps to strengthen
the readiness of our military. It
increases the size of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Army Guard and Reserve, Naval
and Air Reserve, and Air Guard. Bill HR 2810 also provides the largest pay
increase to the military in eight years.
In addition, it also makes up for critical maintenance
shortfalls and begins significant acquisition reforms.
Bill HR 2810 also includes language Representative Cook proposed,
that will aid important local projects.
First, it begins the process for construction of a railroad spur at Fort Irwin’s National Training
Center near Barstow, California. The railroad spur would link the Army Base
to an existing freight rail-line and would facilitate
quick loading and unloading of military vehicles and equipment. Completion
of this project would result in increased efficiency and would save taxpayer
dollars by way of reduced transportation costs.
Currently, U.S. Army vehicles headed to Fort Irwin,
California, for training rotations must use specialized truck transport to travel
40 miles from Barstow at a cost of $5.6 million dollars annually, costs which
continue to rise.
Secondly, Bill HR
2810 includes language to help the City of Twentynine Palms and the Marine
Corps Air Ground Combat Center begin negotiation for the construction of a
joint wastewater treatment facility. There is currently no community sewage
system, and wastewater is disposed of through individual septic tank and tile
field disposal systems.
Representative Paul Cook’s amendment
encourages the military to cooperate with other governmental authorities, such as the City of Twentynine
Palms, to provide utility services that may be mutually beneficial to both the
military and the local community.
Representative Paul Cook comments, “While the world has grown more dangerous,
our military has become smaller in recent several years. This Bill gives our
troops the support and resources they deserve. It provides our men and women in
uniform with a much-deserved raise, while ensuring they have the training and
equipment they need to face threats around the world.
This year’s National Security Bill also includes language I drafted to advance
important projects in my district. I look forward to seeing it signed into
law.”
U.S.
Marine Paul Cook
PAUL COOK is a member of the House Natural Resources, Armed
Services, and Foreign Affairs Committees, Cook served as an infantry officer
and retired after 26 years as a Colonel in the U.S. Marine Corps. During his
time in combat, he was awarded the Bronze Star and two Purple Hearts.