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Crane, Ind. – U.S. Senator Joe Donnelly hosted U.S. Senator Jack Reed (R.I.), Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, at Crane. The Senators saw firsthand Crane’s cutting-edge work, including a microelectronics laboratory and exhibits featuring the crucial work being done in Crane’s unique expeditionary, strategic missions, and electronic warfare laboratories. After the tour, the Senators joined local defense industry leaders at a roundtable hosted by Radius Indiana at WestGate Academy.
Donnelly said, “It was my honor to host Senator Reed at Crane today so that he could see firsthand the cutting-edge work being done by Hoosiers and spend time with key local stakeholders. I’ve worked tirelessly to support Crane’s mission and efforts to expand – as well make sure it gets the recognition it deserves. As the nation faces difficult and complex global security challenges, Crane’s work is as critical as ever, and that’s why it was important to have one of the Senate’s defense leaders visit.”
Reed said, “Senator Donnelly is an effective advocate for Indiana. I hear so much about Crane from Senator Donnelly that I had to come see it for myself. I’m very impressed by the talented, dedicated workforce and advanced technology development that is happening here. The folks here make tremendous contributions to our national defense on land, sea, and in the air,” said Senator Reed, a West Point graduate and senior member of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense. “I’m proud to serve alongside Senator Donnelly on the Armed Services Committee. He is a true champion of our service men and women and has helped deliver the resources they need to carry out their mission and come home safely. We need to make smart, cost-effective investments in our national security. Both Senator Donnelly and I are committed to working with our colleagues on a bipartisan basis to help keep America strong militarily and economically.”
Dr. Brett Seidle, NSWC Crane Technical Director, said, “It is always great to highlight the accomplishments of Crane’s dedicated and patriotic workforce and the one team collaboration that partners us with our nine fellow Warfare Center Divisions across the country. We thank both Senators for coming to visit today.”
Jeff Quyle, President and CEO of Radius Indiana, said, “Radius appreciates Sen. Donnelly’s continuing support for and attention to the unique entrepreneurial ecosystem that Crane and it’s many regional partners are cultivating in south West central Indiana. The collaboration among the scientists, businesses, and community leaders is developing opportunities for increasing success.”
Donnelly has been a champion for Crane and led efforts to grow the Navy and Air Force’s presence at the installation. In recent years, Crane’s mission and workforce have grown significantly, to the tune of more than 400 new jobs since Donnelly began serving in the Senate in 2013. In 2017, Donnelly successfully advocated to save 90 jobs at Crane Army Ammunition that were threatened by a federal hiring freeze. Donnelly also helped bring $24 million to Crane for construction of a needed shipping and receiving depot.
Reed is the latest defense leader to be hosted at Crane by Donnelly. Over the past several years, Donnelly brought top leaders—including then-Secretary of Defense Ash Carter; General David Goldfein, Chief of Staff of the Air Force; General Robert Neller, Commandant of the Marine Corps; and U.S. Chief of Naval Operations Admiral John Richardson—to show them the cutting-edge research and technology development done by Hoosiers at Crane, as well as to discuss the importance of Crane to the surrounding community and its significant economic impact.
