Officials attend installation ceremony of armored vehicle
at National Infantry Museum, June, 2007. (Dave Bender).
The U.S. Senate and House of Representatives have agreed to include $6 million for construction of a "Soldier Center" as part of the National Infantry Museum, currently under construction next to Ft. Benning in Columbus.
The funds will appear in the 2008 Defense Appropriations bill, officials with the museum's backers, the National Infantry Foundation (NIF), say. The facility is expected to open next year.
After a final vote by House and Senate, the appropriation then goes to President Bush for his approval, according to Second Congressional District representative Sanford Bishop (D). Bishop is a supporter of the project.
NIF President Jerry White said in a statement released on Wednesday,
"Together with the $5 million provided through Congressman Bishop’s work last year for the parade field component of the project, today’s conference committee action represents a very powerful vote of confidence by Congress in support of this long overdue tribute to Infantrymen."NIF spokesperson Cyndy Cerbin says of the $86 million project:
"If the federal money is approved... we will have raised about $76 million to date."
Work crews set donated Army Bradley Fighting Vehicle, that saw
action in Iraq into display position at museum. (Dave Bender)
The project includes a 185,000-foot museum, a seven-acre parade field, a memorial walk of honor, an "authentic World War II Company Street," and a 3-D IMAX Theatre.
Click here for more GPB News coverage about the museum.
