Kansas congressmen are joining forces to make sure Fort Riley and Fort Leavenworth get the money they were promised.

Senators Pat Roberts and Sam Brownback and Congressmen Jerry Moran and Todd Tiahrt sent a letter to Army Secretary Francis Harvey. Right now, budget resolutions don't contain money for the facilities the Kansas posts need to deal with extra personnel and duties gained through Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) decisions. The letter asks for that support.

Following is the text of the letter:
"We opposed the Fiscal Year 2007 Continuing Resolution in part because it did not include funds necessary to execute crucial Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) projects at Fort Riley and Fort Leavenworth. We write to ask for your support in prioritizing those projects with the limited funds that the Continuing Resolution included.

"As you know, Fort Riley and Fort Leavenworth are gaining new missions as a result of the most recent BRAC process. Fort Riley is once again the home of the headquarters of the First Infantry Division and will house a new brigade. BRAC funds are necessary for the Combat Aviation Brigade Complex, runway improvements, the new division headquarters facility and the sustainment brigade headquarters, the Battle Command Training Center, a health and dental clinic and child development center. Fort Leavenworth is a crucial component of the joint military justice infrastructure, and BRAC funding is required for the Joint Regional Corrections Facility.

"We are aware that many Army priorities will compete for the limited funds made available under the Continuing Resolution. However, we also know that the impact of lost BRAC funds for Forts Riley and Leavenworth are severe. For example, First Division soldiers deployed out of Fort Riley will not have adequate housing when they return. And, it is not clear where prisoners from across the Armed Forces will be housed if the Fort Leavenworth corrections facility is not completed.

"We are committed to full BRAC funding, and we will continue to insist that the balance of BRAC funding be included in the FY07 supplemental. As you decide how to spend the resources included in the Continuing Resolution, we ask that you recognize the vital nature of the missions at Fort Riley and Fort Leavenworth and keep their critical BRAC projects on schedule.

"We look forward to working with you to ensure that the Army can execute its assigned missions and to provide the men and women of the Army with the resources they deserve."