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President signs bills to increase defense funding for troops

by Staff Sgt. Marcia Triggs

WASHINGTON (Army News Service, Oct. 23, 2002) -- President George W. Bush signed two bills that will give service members the resources they need to serve America at home and abroad during a ceremony Oct. 23 at the White House.

"We've asked our military to liberate a captive people on the other side of the Earth. We've asked our military to prepare for conflict in Iraq, if it proves necessary. We owe them every tool they need to fulfill their missions," Bush said.

The first bill signed was the Defense Appropriations Bill, which is nearly $335 billion -- a $37 billion increase from fiscal year 2002. The defense bill will go toward a 4.1 pay increase, additional full-time support from the National Guard and Reserve and increased funding in research and development of weapon systems, Bush said.

"This legislation begins development of the next generations of weaponry," Bush said. "We ended the Crusader artillery program, a program that was designed for a different era.

"Instead, we will fund new systems, systems that will enable our military to do a more effective job at defending America and our freedoms. Systems such as the unmanned aerial vehicles like the Predator and the Global Hawk that we've used so effectively in Afghanistan."

The Military Construction Appropriations bill, the second one signed, adds $10.5 billion for building and upgrading military installations and for military family housing.

"We're taking care of our people," Bush said. "We want the people who wear the uniform to know America appreciates their service."

The signing of the two bills did not only send a message to Americans, but to the United States' allies and enemies.

"The bills ... send a clear signal to friend and foe alike. It doesn't matter how long it takes to defend our freedom. The United States of America will stay the course."