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Governor Edward G. Rendell Last week, I hosted a meeting of the Pennsylvania Base Development Committee (PBDC) to discuss strategies designed to avoid the closure of military installations in Pennsylvania as the Department of Defense (DoD) prepares to reduce its facilities across the nation as part of the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) process. Pursuant to BRAC guidelines, Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld will release a list of bases to be closed no later than May 16. As home to the nation's largest National Guard, and thousands of troops serving our nation overseas, Pennsylvanians must join together to retain and expand each and every one of our military installations; too much is at stake for us not to. Pennsylvania has lost more than 16,000 jobs as a result of the last four BRAC rounds and we cannot afford to sacrifice even one more. More than 60,000 Pennsylvanians - comprised of civilian and contractor employees, Active Duty Military, Reserve and National Guard personnel - work at the 12 DoD and related military facilities in the Commonwealth. These facilities and activities are critical to the economic health and vitality of the state, generating more than $8 billion in payroll, contracts and other indirect economic benefits. Given Pennsylvania's and its citizens' commitment to the military over the years, it is clear that we have had a disproportionate number of closings. This time around, we must fight hard to prevent our state's working families from bearing additional hardships. The PBDC was created shortly after I took office in 2003. The Committee is comprised of 15 senior level volunteers appointed by the Governor, including two co-chairs and 12 individuals who represent the major installations and organizations across the Commonwealth. All of the Committee members are actively involved in the various local defense groups that have been organized in those communities which host a military installation or organization. The charter of the Committee is to retain all military installations and organizations within Pennsylvania, to retain all positions associated with each installation or organization, to acquire additional missions and projects for the installations and organizations, and to assist the Commonwealth in being the best possible host for military personnel, DoD civilian employees and contractors, and their family members. The meeting provided an opportunity to communicate the need for continued dedication and effort in the days leading up to the release of the DoD's initial base closure list. It should be noted that there are less than 60 days remaining before the list is released and that this time is critical for preparing to respond should any Pennsylvania facility be designated for elimination. Pennsylvania is second to none in the support of the nation's military operations: our people, goods and services help ensure the safety of our troops and enhance their war fighting capabilities. Many of those serving our nation in the conflicts which confront us today are from the depots, supply centers, reserve and National Guard bases within the Commonwealth and I praise the efforts of the local defense groups. Our local defense groups are comprised of distinguished public and private officials who are interested in retaining the existing military facilities in their communities. All of these individuals are volunteers who deserve our sincere gratitude and thanks. CapNews Guest Speaker: Archives |
