Rep. Steny H. Hoyer, D-Md., visited the Patuxent River Naval Air Museum on Wednesday, Oct. 13 where he was endorsed by members of Maryland’s defense community. Former Secretary of the Navy John H. Dalton, local defense industry guru Bob Waxman, and integral St. Mary’s County community member Keith Fairfax all backed Hoyer’s re-election.
Dalton said, “The fifth district is blessed to have a man of Steny Hoyer’s character and stature serving as their representative.” He detailed Hoyer’s involvement in the base realignments of the past and said he’s always been impressed by both the interest and knowledge the congressman shows in the military facilities within his district.
Dalton commented on the growth of St. Mary’s County, due in large part, he suggested, to the economic security provided by NAS Pax River and St. Inigoes. The former Secretary of the Navy said he’d had the privilege of working with many government officials, but, “never had greater admiration and respect for a man than I do for Steny Hoyer.”
“He’s not trying to fight the last war,” Dalton explained. “Things change… [the military and defense industry] must be flexible and change with the times. Hoyer is a leader that understands that…and the need for smart sailors and marines.” Dalton said that years ago, while he sported a button stating, “Go Navy!” Hoyer wore one that read, “Stay Navy!”
Waxman called Hoyer, “a great friend,” and explained how he lobbied to keep the installations in Southern Md. during two BRACs. Fairfax commented on the congressman’s ability to “bring together both parties on defense issues,” and recommended voters keep Hoyer as their Congressional Representative in The 5th District.
Hoyer said he was very proud, while standing in front of a Joint Strike Fighter jet, with NAS Pax River within view. He said the military installations in Southern Md. were and are “critical to the national security of our country…whether it’s the energetics at Indian Head, the extraordinary electronics at St. Inigoes or the airframes at Pax River.”
“No bases in America have been better treated, frankly, through the BRAC process than the bases we have in Southern Maryland,” Hoyer stated, adding, “I’m proud of my hand in that.” Hoyer referred to service members as, “those at the point of the spear, defending our freedom and our national security,” saying they deserve the “very best technical capabilities we can give them.”
Hoyer acknowledged that many other key figures helped in getting things done and said naysayers, like his opponent, Republican candidate Charles Lollar would be silenced by the well-respected people intimately involved in military and defense decisions that would speak to his “critical involvement.”
Dalton agreed with the sentiment, stating anyone who would argue otherwise, “is misinformed.” He said Hoyer seeks out programs that make sense for these facilities, bringing in programs that are not only good for his district but good for the Department of Defense.
With Secretary of Defense
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