Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) and Congressmen Bill Shuster (R-PA) and Todd Platts (R-PA) today sent a bipartisan letter to Secretary of the Army John McHugh urging him not to consider the U.S. Army Heritage and Education Center (USAHEC) for closure in the Fiscal Year 2013 budget review.
“As you well know, the American public has witnessed numerous U.S. military engagements over the past decade and throughout our history,” the members wrote. “Nevertheless, a gap remains in the public’s understanding of the military’s role in American society. USAHEC would provide the public with an in-depth understanding of the vital role that the U.S. Army has played in the defense of our nation.”
In their letter, the members noted that USAHEC has provided information to the U.S. Army Legal Services agency that alone saved the U.S. government $20 million. The center also provides in-depth research capabilities to Congress and the military and has hosted more than 92,000 people who have visited to learn more about our nation’s military history.
A full copy of the letter is below.
Dear Secretary McHugh:
It has come to our attention that the U.S. Army Heritage and Education Center (USAHEC) is under review for closure as a part of the Department of Defense FY2013 budget review. As you well know, the American public has witnessed numerous U.S. military engagements over the past decade and throughout our history. Nevertheless, a gap remains in the public’s understanding of the military’s role in American society. USAHEC would provide the public with an in-depth understanding of the vital role that the U.S. Army has played in the defense of our nation.
USAHEC’s mission is threefold: preserve U.S. Army Heritage, educate the nation and soldiers about the vital role the Army plays, and provide accurate historical organization memory for operational and institutional purposes. When USAHEC opened in 2001, four thousand people visited the facility. After investments to broaden the scope of what USAHEC offers, more than 92,000 people have visited to learn more about our nation’s military history. USAHEC’s staff has provided recurring sole-source historical information to U.S. Army Legal Services Agency that alone saved the United States government $20 million in environmental lawsuits. USAHEC’s in-depth research capabilities have also assisted other branches of the military as well as the Congress.
USAHEC’s growth was made possible by federal, state and local funding and capable management by the Army War College. For example, Cumberland County donated 56 acres of land valued at $3.3 million in addition and has contributed an additional $2.3 million to support USAHEC’s operation. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania contributed $11.5 million in design, construction and marketing of USAHEC. Finally, the federal government provided $31 million in construction cost since 2002. These public investments provide evidence of the significant role that USAHEC plays and the shared commitment of all levels of government.
For these reasons, we respectfully request that USAHEC not be considered for termination in the FY’2013 budget discussions. USAHEC affords the nation the opportunity to learn about the sacrifice of soldiers who have served us, honor their memory, and learn from their experiences.
Sincerely,
Robert P. Casey, Jr.
United States Senator
Bill Shuster
U.S. House of Representatives
Todd Russell Platts
U.S. House of Representatives
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