Bill Includes Money for Wausau Based Clover Hydraulics

News from Congressman Dave Obey
Wisconsin’s 7th District

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, June 22, 2006

DEFENSE APPROPRIATIONS BILL INCLUDES MONEY FOR WAUSAU BASED CLOVER HYDRAULICS

WASHINGTON, DC – Seventh District Congressman Dave Obey (D-WI) announced today that the House has approved his request for $4.5 million in next year’s budget for the Department of Defense to help the U.S. Army acquire two new products they have requested from Wausau based Clover Hydraulics.

“From designing new shelters for the Army to producing key components for military vehicles, Clover Hydraulics has carved an important role for itself in supplying our military,” said Obey, the senior Democrat on the house Appropriations Committee. “Hopefully this funding will help make life a little easier for our troops and keep those good jobs here in the region.”

The bill includes:

• $3.5 million to help Clover Hydraulics develop ruggedized hydraulic cylinders for flexible, expandable mobile shelter units for the Army. The new shelters are intended to be easier to put up and take down, have a longer useful life, and be easier to maintain in deserts and other harsh environments.

• $1 million for the development of a new lightweight 10-meter antenna mast by Clover Hydraulics. The Army’s 10-meter antenna mast is used to elevate tactical communications systems high enough to ensure reliable radio communications. A light weight mast is needed to ease transportation and ensure quick deployment regardless of environment or transportation method.

Obey noted that the bill also includes $4.5 million above the President’s request for the Air Force to purchase additional Halverson loaders needed for cargo handling. That funding will benefit Clover Hydraulics which produces parts for those loaders.

The bill was passed by the House this week and must still be approved by the Senate and signed by the President before it becomes law. However, Obey noted that having these projects included in the House approved version means that a major hurdle has been cleared.