Senators Charles Schumer and Hillary Rodham Clinton recently announced that a Joint House and Senate Conference Committee has approved the Fiscal Year 2008 Veterans Affairs and Military Construction Appropriations bill, which includes $8.4 million in military construction funding for the Gabreski Air National Guard Base Pararescue Facility in Westhampton Beach and $65 million for the Armed Forces Reserve Center in Farmingdale.

The bill, having been approved by the Conference Committee, must now be approved by both chambers of Congress. If it is passed by the House and Senate it will then be sent to the president for his signature.

"This funding is great news for the men and women of Long Island who put their lives on the line for their country, and deserve the very best equipment and training we can provide," Schumer said. "With Veterans Day approaching, this boost to the Pararescue Facility at the Francis Gabreski Air National Guard Base and the Armed Forces Reserve Center in Farmingdale will not only ensure proper support of our military men and women, it will also demonstrate our gratitude and respect for their sacrifice."

"I am pleased that the conference committee has approved this critically needed funding for the Pararescue Facility at the Francis Gabreski Air National Guard Base, which is essential not only for the crew members of the 106th Air Rescue Wing but also for the base's continued growth," said Senator Clinton. "It is also good news that Farmingdale has received the funding necessary to continue with construction of new facilities, which will provide critical support to the region's frontline defense and local homeland security and disaster preparedness. With our nation's increased reliance on the Reserve Component, these facilities and resources are more essential than ever and will help our Guard and Reserve achieve their missions."

The funding for Gabreski would support the construction of part one of the Pararescue Facility at the Francis S. Gabreski Airport in Westhampton Beach. In April 2004 as a result of unit reorganization, the 106th Air Rescue Wing more than doubled. Special requirements that could not be accommodated under the old organization were severely strained. Space is required to perform pre-mission planning and training so that missions can continue to be successfully executed without endangering crew members during challenging and high-risk missions.

The funds for the Armed Forces Reserve Center in Farmingdale confirm what was proposed in the president's Fiscal Year 2008 Budget and will help construct new facilities, which will include administrative and organizational buildings designed to house headquarters, classrooms, arms rooms, logistics/supply rooms, motor pools, and maintenance bays. When these facilities are completed, units will have modern and revitalized facilities from which to support their missions. There are approximately 100 AFRC units being built nation wide to support the BRAC consolidation plan.

The exact address of the new Armed Forces Reserve Center will be 25 Baiting Place Road in Farmingdale.