Rock Island Arsenal Community Recognizes Durbin After Decades Of Service To Region’s Defense Manufacturing Industry

Rock Island Arsenal Community Recognizes Durbin After Decades Of Service To Region's Defense Manufacturing Industry

Durbin today received awards from the Rock Island Arsenal Defense Alliance; the Quad Cities Manufacturing Institute; and ASTRO America

ROCK ISLAND - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, today was presented with three awards in recognition of his service to the Rock Island Arsenal, including preserving the Arsenal's workload and securing federal resources to support manufacturing in the region.

During a working lunch convened by Quad Cities elected officials, Army leaders, and local defense industry partners, the Rock Island Arsenal Defense Alliance (RIADA) and the Quad Cities Manufacturing Institute (QCMI) each presented Durbin with an award in honor of his decades of public service and his support for the Rock Island Arsenal and local defense community. Durbin has been a strong partner to both RIADA and QCMI in securing federal funding for the region's defense manufacturing industry, including in support of QCMI research with the Army in Fiscal Years 2024 and 2026.

Later this afternoon, Durbin attended an open house for ASTRO America's new testing and evaluation facility for Rock Island Arsenal's jointless hull 3D printer to enable validation of the process for future use in the production of combat vehicles. After providing attendees with a tour of the manufacturing and metrology lab, ASTRO America presented Durbin with an award as a long-time partner of the organization. Durbin has been integral in securing federal funding for Rock Island Arsenal's 3D jointless hull printer, which is the largest metal 3D printer in the world.

"I'm grateful to the Rock Island Arsenal Defense Alliance, the Quad Cities Manufacturing Institute, and ASTRO America for this recognition, and more importantly, being my partner in supporting the men and women at the Rock Island Arsenal," Durbin said. "You all help ensure the Arsenal and the Quad Cities remain an integral part of helping Illinois lead the future of manufacturing, using cutting-edge technology at crisis speed. It has been the honor of a lifetime to do my part over the years in Congress, working side by side with you to secure hundreds of millions of dollars each year in federal investments to modernize Rock Island Arsenal and safeguard its future. I know that when the next call comes from our nation and our military, the Arsenal will once again be ready to answer."

Photos of Durbin receiving the awards from RIADA and QCMI can be found here.

Photos of Durbin receiving the award from ASTRO America can be found here.

Durbin has long been a supporter of the Rock Island Arsenal and the groundbreaking manufacturing performed there. Durbin was instrumental in the establishment of the Joint Manufacturing and Technology Center; an online program designed to advertise underutilized real estate; a pilot partnership between the Army and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to support the Strategic National Stockpile; and the Army's "Make-or-Buy" policy. Durbin has also supported annual procurement and research efforts at the Arsenal, including the manufacturing of Humvee ambulances and the jointless hull printer.

-30-