In 1985, Congress directed the US Army to destroy our country's chemical weapons stockpile.
On July 7th this year, that promise was completed here at the Blue Grass Army Depot near Richmond, when the last weapon in the national stockpile was destroyed.
Yesterday, state officials and those who worked on the project gathered to celebrate this historic milestone.
Today, we achieved what once seemed unimaginable.
July 7th, 2023 of this year, you made history.
The last chemical weapon, sarin gas field rocket was destroyed.
And I'm honored to be here to say that we had met our commitment and we completed it before the treaty commitment date of 30 September of 2023.
I am so proud of the Kentuckians that have worked each and every day for years right here to better protect this entire country.
And today is such a celebration of what hard work and working together can do for this nation and for this commonwealth.
For many Americans.
The international ban on chemical weapons may seem distant from their daily lives, but for the people of Kentucky, especially right here in Madison County, this commitment has been deeply personal.
Unlike most remote storage and disposal sites, Kentucky's chemical munitions sit within spitting distance of thousands of families and young children.
In 1996, I introduced a bill creating the assembled Chemical Weapons Alternatives Program, an organization tasked with identifying and demonstrating alternatives to on site incineration.
Thanks to this assessment, we finally had viable options to safely destroy these weapons without endangering families in Madison County.
I remember the days 30 years ago or so often when folks said, as was mentioned, it was said, let's burn the stuff there.
I remember when the city just rose up and said, No, don't burn that stuff and put it into our air.
As mayor of the city of Richmond, to have is only a couple of miles away have this removed.
My immediate presence is personally also monumental for us.
It's been a long haul.
As the senator mentioned, he and I have been at this for almost 40 years.
And to say that we're proud of having accomplished this, particularly with no injuries, no environmental degradation to the community, it's a miraculous effort that's taken place by all the people who you heard about.
There are a number of companies that are interested in occupying some space at the depot in support of the military.
There are a number that are also interested in expanding or coming to Madison County because of the extremely highly skilled and unique workforce that's going to gradually be declining.
It's been one of the great honors of my career to lead this charge at the federal level.
And together.
Now, Madison County celebrates the triumphant close of this chapter in American history.
According to Governor Beshear, the Army has determined that there are 14 development options for the current site of the plant.
The closure process will take 3 to 4 years.