Mishawaka, IN—This morning, Congressman Joe Donnelly visited the AM General Humvee Assembly Plant to recognize the importance of the Humvee and to announce funding for two defense projects in the Second District that he and other members of Indiana’s delegation secured through the congressional appropriations process.

This past year, Congress provided $2.3 billion for Humvees made in Mishawaka.  Specifically, $1.3 billion was included in the Fiscal Year 2008 Defense Appropriations Act signed into law by the president in November, and over $1 billion was included in the Fiscal Year 2007 Supplemental Spending bill for Iraq and Afghanistan signed into law in May.

“I am proud that Congress recognized the importance of the Humvee to the security and effectiveness of our military,” said Congressman Donnelly.  “This continued strong support for the Humvee demonstrates that this vehicle—the pride of Mishawaka—is essential to our military and will continue to play a vital role in years to come.”

As part of the FY2008 Defense Appropriations bill, Congressman Donnelly and other Hoosier lawmakers were successful in gaining approval for two initiatives based in northern Indiana that will help protect our men and women in the Armed Forces.

Defense CS of Mishawaka will receive $4 million to continue the development of anti-ballistic windshield armor that can be added to Humvees to help protect personnel and improve vehicle operability during and following an attack. “This armor would compliment the Humvee’s reputation for toughness, and I commend the work of the people at Defense CS,” Donnelly said.  The project was also supported by Senators Richard Lugar and Evan Bayh.

In addition, Notre Dame will receive $1.6 million for an ongoing effort by engineers there to research and develop new vehicle armor design and manufacturing methods that maximize personnel protection.  It is hoped the results will be useful in future tactical vehicles built by AM General.  “This work may eventually lead to cutting edge techniques that AM General can put in place when building next generation of vehicles for America’s war fighters,” said Donnelly.  The project was also supported by Congressman Pete Visclosky.