Vows to fight proposed federal cuts to the base
Assemblywoman Addie J. Russell, D-Theresa, is excited to welcome members of the 10th Mountain Division from Fort Drum to the Capitol on Tuesday.
Soldiers and officers from Fort Drum will be in Albany for the fourth annual “10th Mountain Division and Fort Drum Day” in the Capitol to highlight the special relationship between the state and the Army. This year the day is especially important because the base is facing massive cuts as part of federal sequestration.
“We are proud that Fort Drum and its brave soldiers call the North Country its home and together we will fight these cuts,” Russell said. “It’s more important now than ever for us to present a unified front in support of Fort Drum.”
Unless there are bipartisan efforts to preserve the facility, 16,000 of the 19,000 troops and civilians stationed at Fort Drum could be cut. The impact on the North Country would be devastating.
Russell has been working with her colleagues in the Assembly and our representatives in Congress to fight to preserve the base.
In 2012 alone Fort Drum added more than $1.2 billion to the North Country economy and the soldiers and officers stationed there, their families, and the many civilians who work on the base are an integral part of our communities. The 10th Mountain Light Infantry Division, stationed at Fort Drum, is one of our nation's most deployed units, and their continued service has helped keep America safe.
On March 20 representatives from the Army will visit the North Country to hear from members of the community who are advocating on behalf of Fort Drum and its continued operation at full-capacity in the North Country. Russell is calling for members of the Assembly to join her in support of a Resolution memorializing Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim March 17, 2015, as 10th Mountain Division and Fort Drum Day in the State of New York.
Commanding General of Fort Drum, Major General Stephen Townsend and soldiers and officers of Fort Drum who hail from across New York will be introduced on the floor of the Assembly.
The Fort Drum Regional Liaison Organization will also be meeting with lawmakers throughout the day to speak with them about how important Fort Drum is to the state and the region.
Russell is also asking members of the public to join her at the Fort Drum Regional Liaison Organization Listening Session at the Jefferson County Community College Sturtz Theater on March 20 at 5pm to demonstrate the community support Fort Drum has.