The First District of Virginia has a rich military heritage. Our men and women serving in uniform do a remarkable job for our country and they also contribute significantly to their communities.
In Washington, I have the opportunity to serve on the House Armed Services Committee. Serving on this committee requires an in depth understanding about the needs and missions of the military, and that's why I spend as much time as I can visiting the military installations and leaders around the First District.
Last Friday I had the opportunity to visit Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren for the rollout of the Surface Warfare Mission Package for the future Littoral Combat Ship. As global threats evolve, the Littoral Combat Ships will play an increasingly important role in our Naval Defense. Judging by what I witnessed on Friday, the US Navy will continue to dominate the seas for years to come.
NSWC Dahlgren was tasked with coordinating the development of the Surface Warfare Mission Package for the LCS. From the looks of Friday's demonstration, the team at Dahlgren did a wonderful job. After Friday's ceremony, I witnessed the Surface Warfare Gun module fire 30 shots without a hitch. What's more, the weapons package was delivered on time and on budget.
In other news, last week I had the opportunity to support the passage of the Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route National Historic Trail Designation Act. This bill would designate George Washington's 600-mile route from Rhode Island to Yorktown as a national historic trail to be managed by the National Park Service. This bill recognizes our region's rich history in the birth of our nation, and I was glad to vote for it.
Coming up in Washington this week, Congress will have the opportunity to consider several important pieces of legislation. Among the bills scheduled to come to the floor are the FY09 Intelligence Authorization Act and the National Highway Bridge Reconstruction and Inspection Act. To express your opinion on these bills or any other legislation, I hope you'll contact my office at (202) 225 - 4261 or visit my website at /.
