Picatinny Arsenal in Rockaway Township employs about 6,000 people and has been critical to the defense of the United States for more than 100 years.

Rep. Mikie Sherrill, D-11th. District, whose district includes the base, seems intent on making sure that continues.

Sherrill has released a letter she just sent to Army Secretary Mark T. Esper seeking his backing on three matters related to Picatinny.

One is the secretary’s support for an Army proposal to use more than $31 billion toward modernization priorities, including the Long-Range Precision Fires mission at Picatinny.

The congresswoman also wrote in support of a new “access control point” at the base’s main gate. She said the $24 million project would provide “greater security” to those working and living on the base.

Moreover, Sherrill, who is in her first term, also noted that $41 million has been provided to build a Munitions Disassembly Complex at Picatinny. She said in the letter that she “strongly opposes”  any move to use that money for any other purposes.