Washington, DC  -  Congressman Mike Rogers and members of the Valley Congressional delegation met with senior commanders from Ft. Benning this evening to hear from local military leaders about issues of importance to the Army installation, including military construction projects outlined in President Bush’s FY 2005 budget.

Commanding General Benjamin Freakley and Garrison Commander Ricardo Rivera led the delegation from Ft. Benning. Rogers, in particular, was interested in discussions related to Ft. Benning’s ability to host more Joint Force missions in the future, as well as hearing about body armor supplies for National Guard and Reserve personnel called to duty.

“My top priority is to ensure our troops have the resources necessary to complete their missions,” Rogers said.

Rogers said the military commanders discussed a number of new initiatives at Ft. Benning, including new weapons systems and improved housing facilities for soldiers and their families. The other Congressional representatives at the meeting, including Georgia representatives Mac Collins, Phil Gingrey, and Samford Bishop, asked Freakly about troop morale overseas.

“Fort Benning is a vital part of the Alabama economy and I will do what I can to be an advocate for them in the next round of BRAC,” Rogers added. Both he and Gingrey sit on the House Armed Services Committee which overseas funding for the Valley installation.