Congresssman Tim Huelskamp visited Fort Riley Monday morning where he escorted Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler, of Missouri’s 4th District, on a tour of the installation.
Hartzler is the chair of the House Armed Services Committee Sub-Committee on Oversight and Investigations.
Hartzler says her initial impressions of Fort Riley were very positive.
“I was very impressed with seeing this wonderful, historic installation…I was very impressed with seeing all of the training capabilities here and the unique capabilities we have here…it’s just very impressive and an important assest to our nation,” said Hartzler.
Hartzler went on to say the “great family life here” was so important to the effectivess of Fort Riley.
“It’s so important that we take care of that war-fighter and his/her family,” noted Hartzler who commented that she was “blessed to be able to be here [at Fort Riley].”
Hartzler said that all of the Sub-Committee chairmen are visiting various installations in their districts.
“We’re going to go back with the Armed Services Committee and put together a report or a snapshot of the state of our readiness right now; we’ve been at war for many years as a nation, we’ve been seeing decreased funding for our national defense over the last six years and at the same time our threats have been escalating and it’s concerning to us,” said Hartzler.
Hartzler said they want to ensure that troops are ready to deploy and have the resources they need as the chairmen go forward with budget and funding decisions.
Congressman Huelskamp said he’s looking forward to new leadership in the White House.
“I’m mostly worried about the role of Fort Riley…we did very well in the round of changes that the Obama administration proposed but we’re looking forward to new leadership in the White House – and for the Army to move in the correct direction with new leadership and making sure [of] Fort Riley’s critical mission of training,” said Huelskamp.
Huelskamp went on to say, “One thing that’s so great [about] having my colleague (Hartzler) here is that we don’t have a member of the House or Senate Armed Services Committee and we haven’t had somebody for 10 years, so having her come out here is a great opportunity for us to show off and promote Fort Riley and it’s impact here on the community.”