WASHINGTON, D.C. -- United States Senator Daniel K. Inouye announced that the Senate, by a vote of 94 to 2, approved the House-Senate Conference Report which includes additional funding for Ship Depot Maintenance in an effort to begin to address Navy shortfalls which have reduced private sector ship maintenance requirements in Hawaii. In addition, $3.5 million was included for a new Pearl Harbor apprenticeship program.

"I am committed to ensuring a balance between the public and private sector work requirements at Pearl Harbor. To do so, we must address the funding shortfalls, as well as a reduced overall fleet. We must look for new partnerships and ways of doing business. This may include making the private shipyards a part of this new apprenticeship program," said Senator Inouye.

The Congress also provided increases in excess of $800 million for real property and base operations support nationwide. Of this total, Hawaii will receive its fair share to minimize funding shortfalls for all military services, in particular the U.S. Army, which could otherwise lead to large scale civilian workforce reductions in Hawaii.

Other Inouye's initiatives include:

Hawaii National Guard

Mobile radar approach control which is expected to be located at Barbers Point.	$8,000,000
National Guard Counterdrug Program Operation Green Harvest	$2,200,000
Conservation/Ecosystem Management Program	$3,000,000
For environmental mitigation and remediation in conjunction with Saddle Road on the Big Island.

In addition, $1 million was also included for an off-island leave program for Johnston Atoll workers.

The Fiscal Year 1999 Defense Appropriations bill will now be transmitted to the White House.