Written by Bruce Ferrell
(WASHINGTON, D.C). – The U.S. Senate Saturday passed by a vote of 88-10 the final 2010 Department of Defense Appropriations Act, which includes an amendment sponsored by U.S. Senator Kay Hagan to support Camp Lejeune families affected by water contamination.
The amendment, which was cosponsored by Senator Richard Burr (R-NC), prevents the Navy from disposing of water contamination claims before key Centers for Disease Control (CDC) studies are completed. The bill will now be sent to President Obama for his signature.
“The Defense Appropriations bill includes a critical amendment that will help bring closure to our former Lejeune families,” said Hagan, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee. "The Navy must commit to funding the remaining CDC water contamination studies, and this amendment makes sure no claims are dismissed before the studies are complete. I will continue working to help these families get answers.”
Hagan also secured $35 million in North Carolina military projects in the bill. One of those projects directs more than $3 million for the Institute of Regenerative Medicine at Wake Forest University, which is one of the world’s leading regenerative medicine centers. Hagan has toured the Regenerative Medicine Institute on several occasions.
Hagan also included $1.28 million to establish three North Carolina National Guard Family Assistance Centers. The centers will support national guard families who do not live near a military base. Additional centers are planned in Asheville, Kannapolis, Raleigh, and Wilmington.
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