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Ryan tapped for top panel
By Jeanne Starmack
YOUNGSTOWN
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U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan (D-17)
U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan, D-17th, has been tapped to replace the late John Murtha of Pennsylvania on the powerful Defense Appropriations Subcommittee of the U.S. House of Representatives.
The subcommittee has jurisdiction over the Department of Defense, the Departments of Army, Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force, the Office of Secretary of Defense, certain defense agencies, the Central Intelligence Agency and intelligence community staff.
“We’re excited,” Ryan told The Vindicator Wednesday. “We’re moving between $500 billion and $600 billion a year in spending. Billions of dollars of federal spending we can steer back to the communities.”
“It’s just so massive,” he continued.
His appointment will have implications for the universities and the business incubators, he said, and for contractors and suppliers in the area. Ravenna Arsenal, Lockheed Martin, Goodyear and General Motors could benefit, and that would boost the region’s economy, Ryan said.
“This appointment is a huge win for the 17th District,” Ryan said. “The defense budget is the largest of all the budgets in the United States government.
“Having the opportunity to steer federal defense dollars to our district will accelerate the economic progress of our region and further promote the Tech Belt initiative,” he said. “I will make sure everyone doing business with the Pentagon knows what a great place Northeast Ohio is to do business.”
Ryan said there are only a handful of seats on the subcommittee, and “we were well-positioned to get it.”
In Fiscal Year 2010, the subcommittee appropriated more than $625.9 billion for defense-related activities, including operations and training, health care for uniformed and civilian personnel, the maintenance of arms, equipment and facilities, and the development and purchase of new equipment.
Local city, county and state representatives said Wednesday that Ryan deserves the appointment, and they are excited about its impact.
“He’s been at the tip of the sphere for the renaissance here in the Mahoning Valley,” said Youngstown Mayor Jay Williams. “I think this further elevates our prospects.”
“There isn’t a better place to be or a better person to be there,” he continued. “He’s earned it.”
“This is huge for the Mahoning Valley,” said Warren Mayor Michael J. O’Brien, adding, “The economic development potential for our communities are endless.”
“Boy, how about that, something positive around here,” said Mahoning County Commissioner Anthony Traficanti.
“His appointment will have an effect on making sure the air base stays here and on expanding operations out at the airport,” Traficanti continued. “It’s just good news. We’ve got a powerful member of Congress who can do a lot of good.”
Ryan also joined the Appropriations Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government, and retained his seat on the Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education.
Ryan, of Niles, was elected in 2002. Now in his fourth term, he beat two challengers in the May 5 primary, with 80 percent of the vote.
Before being elected to Congress, he was an Ohio senator. In the Ohio Senate, he was the ranking minority member on the Ways and Means Committee. He was also a member of the Senate Committee on Highways and Transportation, the Judiciary Committee on Criminal Justice, and the Senate Insurance, Commerce and Labor Committee. The 17th District includes portions of Mahoning, Trumbull, Portage and Summit counties.
Murtha died Feb. 8. He was the 12th District’s representative for 36 years, and was the longest serving member of Congress from the commonwealth.