October 27, 2005 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H9293 but are requiring enormous restric- lowing title in which the concurrence stand when you get on the phone and tions that preclude a location in a met- of the House is requested: you try to get a conversation with ropolitan area anyplace in the country, S. 1285. An act to designate the Federal Chairman Principi or General So-and- and that are going to cost such a pre- building located at 333 Mt. Elliott Street in So or Admiral So-and-So, a lot of peo- mium to build, they are going to make Detroit, Michigan, as the ‘‘Rosa Parks Fed- ple want to talk to them. I must say them prohibitive for any other activity eral Building’’. that I was fortunate to be able to talk to be in those buildings. The Acting CHAIRMAN. The Com- to each and every one of them. I had Mr. Speaker, I could go on at greater mittee will resume its sitting. quality time. But the fact of the mat- length on why I do not think that these f ter is the staff followed through once recommendations make sense from a again with on-site visits, and that was DISAPPROVING THE REC- cost standpoint, from a military effec- so very important. OMMENDATIONS OF THE DE- tiveness standpoint, from just a com- The dedication and determination FENSE BASE CLOSURE AND RE- mon-sense standpoint. I will not do demonstrated by the Commission, its ALIGNMENT COMMISSION that, but I will summarize by again accessibility for individual members, pointing out that these recommenda- The Committee resumed its sitting. their willingness to listen produced a tions are going to cost billions of dol- Mr. HEFLEY. Mr. Chairman, I yield 7 product that I think we can all be lars to build new buildings for DOD minutes to the gentleman from New proud of. money that we do not have, that we are York (Mr. BOEHLERT), the distin- Let me once again address those who going to have to take from veterans guished chairman of the Committee on represent communities who are not health care. It is not going to improve Science. treated favorably by the BRAC rec- our military preparedness. It is going (Mr. BOEHLERT asked and was given ommendations. I have been through to cause a brain drain in terms of many permission to revise and extend his re- that before with a magnificent Air of the agencies that we rely so much on marks.) Force base that dissolved back as a re- for technological superiority and intel- Mr. BOEHLERT. Mr. Chairman, I sult of the 1993 Commission report, and ligence. And when you have a rec- thank the gentleman for yielding me in 1995 it actually closed down with a ommendation that causes such addi- time. couple of exceptions. And there were tional cost and is going to make it so Mr. Chairman, many of us who have some people in the community at large much more difficult to implement our been privileged to serve in this great who wanted to write the economic military mission, I think the right institution for some time have been obituary for that community, Rome, thing to do is to reject it. through this process many times. This New York, and the surrounding areas. That is what this resolution does. is not the first or second or third. We There were others, a lot of us, not just That is what I would urge my col- have had BRAC after BRAC. But I me, the mayor, the county executive, leagues in this body to do, to vote for could not agree more with my distin- local officials, business communities, the resolution of disapproval that has guished colleague from Colorado (Mr. that were determined to make the best of a bad situation. been offered by the gentleman from Il- HEFLEY) who observed this was the best linois (Mr. LAHOOD) so as to have the BRAC of all. We are finally getting it b 1130 right. This was the least political, administration go back and tell us Today, that once-vibrant military in- most professional BRAC we have ever ways they can, in fact, save money, stallation, Griffis Air Force Base, is ways they can, in fact, improve the ef- had. And that is a tribute to Chairman now a very vibrant business and tech- ficiency and effectiveness of our mili- Principi and all of the distinguished nology park with upwards of 4,000 peo- tary mission. members of the panel: Admiral ple gainfully employed there; but part The Acting CHAIRMAN (Mr. Gehman; General Newton; former Con- of that installation involves an Air BONNER). The Committee will rise in- gressman and colleague Jim Bilbray; Force research laboratory which was formally. Phil Coyle; Sam Skinner; General set off as a containment area as a re- The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Turner; Jim Hansen, another former sult of the decision to close the base in HEFLEY) assumed the chair. colleague who served with great dis- 1993, and the people at DOD and every- f tinction; and General Hill. This reads where were wondering would this work. like a Who’s Who list of distinguished It has worked in spades, and now the MESSAGE FROM THE SENATE Americans who are providing a very Air Force research laboratory, inciden- A message from the Senate by Ms. important service for our Nation. tally operating out of a $25 million Curtis, one of it clerks, announced that The fact is DOD had too much phys- state-of-the-art new facility, is the the Senate has passed with amend- ical inventory. It is costing DOD to center of excellence for the entire Air ments in which the concurrence of the maintain that physical inventory. It is Force in command, control, commu- House is requested, a bill of the House costing the taxpayers. So understand- nications, and intelligence technology. of the following title: ably they wanted some realignment, It is an information directorate, and it H.R. 3057. An act making appropriations adjustments; and there had to be win- not only services the Air Force well for foreign operations, export financing, and ners and losers. As someone who has but it services a whole wide range of related programs for the fiscal year ending been on both sides of that issue, let me other activities. It is serving so well. September 30, 2006, and for other purposes. say I know what it is like. I can feel So BRAC looked at that and made The message also announced that the the pain of the losers. But I would say the decision that some operations that Senate insists upon its amendments to to those who are on the short end of had been located there should be trans- the bill (H.R. 3057) ‘‘Making appropria- the recommendation, one, you should ferred elsewhere in line with the over- tions for foreign operations, export fi- have confidence that the recommenda- all scheme of the Air Force to consoli- nancing, and related programs for the tions were made once again by the date like operations at a central facil- fiscal year ending September 30, 2006, least political, most professional BRAC ity. Some moved out; some moved in. and for other purposes,’’ requests a we have ever had, a BRAC whose indi- The net result is maybe a gain of 15 to conference with the House on the dis- vidual members, including the Chair- 25 jobs for Rome, New York. I am not agreeing votes of the two Houses there- man, were available not just to have a supporting the BRAC because we have on, and appoints Mr. MCCONNELL, Mr. courtesy photo opportunity, but to got 15 or 25 jobs. I am supporting the SPECTER, Mr. GREGG, Mr. SHELBY, Mr. hear out those of us who had presen- process and what it did and what it BENNETT, Mr. BOND, Mr. DEWINE, Mr. tations before that Commission. produced. BROWNBACK, Mr. COCHRAN, Mr. LEAHY, They asked pertinent questions. Let me tell my colleagues another Mr. INOUYE, Mr. HARKIN, Ms. MIKULSKI, They had on-site visits. They were story. At that same business and tech- Mr. DURBIN, Mr. JOHNSON, Ms. very, very serious about their impor- nology park, we now have a defense fi- LANDRIEU, and Mr. BYRD, to be the con- tant work; and they were not alone. nance accounting service, and that em- ferees on the part of the Senate. The highly dedicated and very com- ploys exactly 382 people. DOD said, The message also announced that the petent professional staff of BRAC was well, we want to consolidate, restruc- Senate has passed a bill of the fol- even more accessible. You can under- ture. We do not need 26 locations all

VerDate Aug 31 2005 05:00 Oct 28, 2005 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00015 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K27OC7.044 H27OCPT1 H9294 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE October 27, 2005 over the country. We want to go down pleted its periodic force review, which After a series of hearings and debates to three locations. That did not really is supposed to be the blueprint for what today, the House will vote on H.J. Res. make a heck of a lot of sense; and when we need for the 21st century. 65, disapproving recommendation of all was said and done, when the BRAC So we will be closing bases, losing the Defense Base Closure and Realign- looked at that, they recognized that key personnel, diminishing critical ca- ment Commission. I stand here in op- maybe the answer was somewhere in pabilities, even before we have deter- position to that resolution and support between. Instead of going from 26 to mined which of those capabilities we the BRAC process. three, they went from 26 to about five need in order to meet current and fu- Since the Department of Defense re- or six, consolidating, saving money, ture threats. The process, Mr. Chair- leased those dreaded base closure rec- improving efficiency. man, has been backwards. ommendations on May 13, 2005, elected Guess what. This facility at Rome, I certainly can find fault with some officials, community leaders, and em- New York, which incidentally is oper- of the specifics in here. I am very fa- ployees have come together to make ating and out of a new $10 million miliar with the excellent work done by the case for keeping their respective state-of-the-art facility, was examined the people at Fort Monmouth in cen- facilities open. very carefully. They did not just listen tral New Jersey where they do elec- I respect the BRAC process. I under- to me, and they did not make a deci- tronics, command, control, commu- stand that it is necessary for the De- sion that was posited with that because nications, computers. They have taken partment of Defense to reconfigure its I had a scintillating personality or I the lead in developing countermeasures infrastructure into one where oper- had some influence down here. Influ- to detect and disarm roadside bombs in ational and support capacity is opti- ence down here did not make much dif- Iraq. It is hard to think of anything mized for both war-fighting capability ference in this process. that could be more important. and efficiency. I also understand that What they listened to were the facts, We know that a large number of the BRAC process assists the Depart- and the facts are that when they exam- these scientists, probably 70, 80 percent ment in maximizing joint utilization of ined all of the DFAS operations, in 16 of these scientists and engineers and defense resources and reallocates mili- measurable categories where you could procurement experts will not make the tary personnel from supporting and op- quantify, where you could measure, move if Fort Monmouth is closed. That erating unnecessary and underutilized where you could compare the output of capability would be lost at a time that infrastructure. However, I believe that we cannot afford it. one against the other, this installation the BRAC process should remain a fair The harm to the military, to the was at or near the top. process, allowing for every facility to Army, and to the joint services effort, A final BRAC decision, not only are be evaluated in a clear and consistent I can assure my colleagues, is much those 382 jobs preserved, 600 additional manner. greater than the harm to New Jersey. are coming. Let me state that I am extremely That is why I am highlighting this ex- So I say it from the perspective of a pleased that on August 26, 2005, the ample of the problems. proud Member of a district who is gain- Let me be clear, I have nothing but BRAC Commission decided not only to ing, and I say it as a proud Member of great respect for each of the commis- reverse its decision to close the De- this institution who identified with sioners and their staffs. They worked fense Finance Accounting Service in creating a process that is serving our for months a grueling schedule, reams Cleveland, Ohio, but to expand and add Nation well; and therefore, I would of data, listening attentively, openly. jobs at this facility. This facility has strongly oppose the resolution to dis- In the end, however, the commission earned the right to remain open and approve and urge that the movement produced a series of recommendations continue to provide A-plus services to go forward. that could not be right because the its executive clients and, most impor- Mr. LAHOOD. Mr. Chairman, I yield 4 whole thing was flawed from the begin- tantly, the men and women serving in minutes to the gentleman from New ning. They got the cart before the Afghanistan, Iraq, and around the Jersey (Mr. HOLT). horse. world. (Mr. HOLT asked and was given per- In the resolution before us today, we DFAS Cleveland is an integral part of mission to revise and extend his re- have the means to stop this flawed and the nerve center that supports our marks.) dangerous process, and it is apparent troops on the ground in Iraq and world- Mr. HOLT. Mr. Chairman, I thank that the commissioners knew that they wide. It is the homesite of the Reserve the gentleman from Illinois both for in- were not getting it right. pay center of excellence which proc- troducing this resolution and for yield- In the case of Fort Monmouth, for ex- esses payroll for the Army, Air Force, ing me some time to speak in support ample, in their recommendations, they Naval Reserves and National Guard. It of the resolution. charged Congress, not that they are has a track record of innovation and The stakes could not be higher. Of able to charge Congress, but neverthe- success that has been recognized on course, we should take steps, even if less they did, to review their results more than one occasion. politically difficult, to cut waste and with respect to Fort Monmouth to say I thank the entire BRAC Commis- improve efficiency in the military. Let do not go ahead with them if it might sion, particularly Chairman Principi us look where we are. hurt the capabilities that we need to and General Lloyd Newton, for their The Pentagon has recommended clo- fight terrorism around the world, to service. In addition, I would like to sures through the BRAC Commission. support our troops in the field and Iraq thank the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. The BRAC Commission has approved and Afghanistan. They actually said LATOURETTE) who is seated on the floor them. Now the House is going to stamp that in their recommendations. They and his staff for all the work they did them approved before the Department were acknowledging that they were not in supporting DFAS, as well as the gen- of Defense has completed its force getting it right, or at least they tleman from Ohio (Mr. KUCINICH) for structure review. This is exactly the thought they might not be getting it his tireless efforts. opposite of what was supposed to hap- right. Through our collaboration, we were pen. The BRAC commissioners them- They have got the cart before the able to outline to the commission the selves pointed out when they began horse. It is a flawed process. To give us various discrepancies in the initial rec- their hearings this summer that the a chance, I will urge my colleagues to ommendation and make a good case for entire process has the cart before the vote for this resolution so that we can reversing the recommendation for re- horse. get it right. Our country’s security de- moving the Cleveland DFAS office. Also, the Overseas Basing Commis- pends on it. I want to thank also the Cleveland sion noted that the Pentagon had not Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 Partnership and its membership. factored in the impact of the return of minutes to the gentlewoman from Ohio Thanks to Carol Caruso behind the tens of thousands of personnel from (Mrs. JONES). scenes and thanks to attorney Fred Europe to the United States in its Mrs. JONES of Ohio. Mr. Chairman, I Nance, the managing partner of BRAC recommendations; and even now, thank the gentleman from Missouri Squires, Sanders and Dempsey, who ar- we are proceeding with the BRAC proc- (Mr. SKELTON) for the opportunity to gued our case before the commission. ess before the Pentagon has even com- be heard. He was brilliant.

VerDate Aug 31 2005 05:00 Oct 28, 2005 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00016 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K27OC7.026 H27OCPT1 October 27, 2005 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H9295 Finally, I would like to say that this the people in the Terre Haute Guard Mr. LAHOOD. Mr. Chairman, I yield 4 process has been a grueling process. In unit. In fact, they were all high in re- minutes to the gentleman from Ten- the city of Cleveland, we have lost so cruitment, and they were all high in nessee (Mr. COOPER). many jobs over the past 4 years. The national awards. (Mr. COOPER asked and was given thought that we would lose another permission to revise and extend his re- b 1145 1,200 jobs if DFAS moved was just marks.) grueling, and we are thankful for the The problem is the Air Force is cut- Mr. COOPER. Mr. Chairman, I come commission’s recommendation. Again, ting. The F–16s are aging and declining here today to praise the men and I vehemently argue in opposition to in quality and disappearing from our women of the 118th Air Wing who fly H.J. Res. 65 and thank my colleagues defense system, and the Air Force out of Nashville, Tennessee. They have for their support. plans are to reduce the number of been mistreated by this BRAC process. Mr. HEFLEY. Mr. Chairman, it is my fighter planes by two-thirds. So where I do not blame the BRAC Commission. pleasure to yield 5 minutes to the gen- is this going to leave the Air Guard and I think the fault lies originally with tleman from Indiana (Mr. SOUDER). the Reserve, and how do we work this the Pentagon recommendation because (Mr. SOUDER asked and was given through when we head into a BRAC they simply did not take into account permission to revise and extend his re- process? I am very concerned where we one of the best flying units in America. marks.) are headed long term with this, not They are proven, they are ready, they Mr. SOUDER. Mr. Chairman, I thank just this BRAC process but the next have performed valiantly every time the distinguished gentleman from Col- BRAC process. the Nation has called them to service. orado for the time. It is clear we are leaning heavily on They have volunteered for extra duty. First, let me thank the BRAC Com- Guard and Reserve. Are we going to the They fly C–130s. We have, and we soon mission head Anthony Principi and all point where Guard and Reserve and the will miss, those eight C–130 airplanes. of the panel members for their hard Air Force are only going to be at active The bottom line for the Pentagon de- work for listening to all of us, both at bases, and where does that leave the cision, did it really have anything to the regional hearings and in person, heartland of the United States as we do with military judgment for value or and with the staff and the Department move everything to the coast? Where cost savings? No. What did it have to of Defense who worked with so many of does it leave us in homeland security? do with? A political calculation on the us in these very difficult decisions. The gentleman from Illinois (Mr. part of the Pentagon that because Ten- I rise in opposition to my colleague LAHOOD) raised a very difficult and in- nessee had a great air unit in Memphis from Illinois’s resolution, but I share teresting question that worked with C–5s and a great air unit in Knox- some of his concerns. I would like to through the courts in this process, that ville with KC–135s, that therefore, talk about a few of these. it is pretty clear that the Department Nashville had to lose one of the best In the State of Indiana, the previous of Defense cannot close an Air Guard Air Guard units in the country. round of BRAC, I was legislative direc- base, but they can move the airplanes. Now, they did not close down our tor for the junior Senator from Indiana So we had one court ruling in Pennsyl- base entirely; they did not have the te- when we watched all of our active mili- vania that said they could not close merity to do that, but they took all tary bases get wiped out in the State of the base, but we have other rulings our aircraft. They took the ‘‘air’’ out Indiana, one of the number one recruit- that said they could move the air- of the Air National Guard in Nashville, ing States in the United States. Tennessee. My hometown in Fort Wayne, Indi- planes. What exactly is the role of an Air Guard base if it does not have any Now, Members might say, well, I am ana, is one of the major centers of de- just protecting a local interest. Look airplanes, and how are we going to fense electronics in the United States at the facts. First they came at us with work this through? with ITT Aerospace, with Raytheon, wrong data because the Air Guard unit I believe there will be other types of Defense Electronics based there mak- there does not own the runways; we defense systems in homeland security ing many highly classified electronics, only lease them from a fine commer- that hopefully will be located in Terre defense systems, with General Dynam- cial airport. We got no credit for that. Haute and will be located in Spring- ics with a huge facility there, with So we addressed that problem. BAE Systems with a huge facility field, Illinois, very important cities to Then they did not take into account there, with USSI with a huge facility homeland security and our national de- the fact that we had some of the new- there, with Northrop Grumman with a fense. We have to work this through. est and best facilities in all of our mili- large and expanding facility there. I believe the BRAC Commission made tary, the number one best hangar in We have defense electronics and a the right decisions, but this does not America, brand new, barely opened, very patriotic, one of the highest, if necessarily give us much guidance as and it will probably never see an air- not the highest, congressional districts to where we are headed and how we are plane. It won the top Air Force award in America in military recruiting for going to integrate and maintain the de- for best hangar in the country, so why Army, Navy, Air Force and all of the fense structure we have in the United did American taxpayers pay $55 million various Guard and Reserve groups. States with our Air Guard, Army for that hangar never to see it used? We have an Air Guard base there in Guard, and all of our Reserve units Guess what, almost every other facil- Fort Wayne, Indiana, that is gaining around the country if we do not have ity on that base is less than 2 years old, under this process. It was a very dif- an adequate base structure, if we do and we are taking away all of the air- ficult process as to how we deal with not have adequate training places and craft. How does that make sense? It the Guard and particularly the Air ways to do this. only makes sense if you look at the Guard, and it was a very stiff competi- I hope we can find, in addition to the politics. Tennessee had three bases; tion with the gentleman from Illinois’ fighter planes that are located in Fort they wanted to cut us down to two and air base and the air base in Terre Wayne, and the expansion of our base, distribute it more evenly around the Haute, and we can argue the relative for which I am very thankful, ways to country. So they can take our air- merits. work with Springfield, Illinois, with planes, are they going to train the new What I heard at the hearing is, look, Terre Haute, Indiana, and other bases air crews at these other bases? Are I am very proud of our Air Guard. They around the United States because we they going to build them brand new are way over. They have the highest need all of those pilots. We need all of and wonderful facilities and hangars? percent retention, actually overreten- those Guard and Reserve people around Will that save the American taxpayer tion at 116 percent of their recruiting the United States because we are money when we already had one of the quota. They have won national out- strapped very thin. I hope this BRAC top units in the country in Nashville standing unit award three times by the Commission report, while I strongly performing perfectly? Air Force and recipient of the National support it, will also be a launching If you ask Secretary Rumsfeld, he Guard number one Air Guard unit in point as to how we are going to work knows about the men and women from the United States. and build and keep this very diverse Nashville who have flown him wherever But I also heard from the people in Armed Forces system in the United he needed to go, in the Middle East or the capital region Air Guard unit and States. other places in the world.

VerDate Aug 31 2005 05:00 Oct 28, 2005 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00017 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K27OC7.027 H27OCPT1 H9296 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE October 27, 2005 So I am in an ironic situation. I be- maintenance personnel. Unlike active duty air- Fred Nance, whose brilliant presen- lieve in the BRAC process. I do think men and pilots, Air National Guard personnel tation at the BRAC Commission hear- Congress needs a restraint. We cannot do not just pack up and relocate with their air- ing was quite persuasive. just all protect our local bases, but the craft. It is highly unlikely that the majority of It also came as a result of work that Pentagon’s recommendation has to be the 118th AW’s highly experienced pilots and was done by our colleague from Ohio based on sound military judgment, and maintenance personnel will move with the (Mr. LATOURETTE). The gentleman at least in this one small case, it was C130H aircraft to new base locations. from Ohio has demonstrated that a bi- not. Unfortunately, the BRAC commis- Next, consider the airmen and airwomen left partisan cooperation and partnership sioners did not have the temerity to behind in enclaves. The realignment of the can be quite successful in helping to override in this case, at least, the Pen- 118th and many similar units across the coun- strengthen a community’s economic tagon recommendation. try essentially takes the ‘‘air’’ out of Air Na- position. If Members talk to top folks in the tional Guard. Attracting and retaining highly We worked together, along with the Pentagon, they will tell you that from motivated young men and women for a gentlewoman from Ohio (Mrs. JONES), the expected savings from the BRAC placeholder organization with no real mission other Federal officials, and local offi- round, they are virtually gone, because will be difficult, if not impossible. cials to ensure that we made the best the BRAC Commission did interfere in Third, rebuilding the deep operational expe- case possible as to why the people who a lot of other bases, and some services, rience and cohesion of units like the 118th do an admirable service at DFAS in so 70 to 80 percent of the expected sav- AW, forged through multiple deployments and Cleveland should be permitted to con- ings are not there. I think history will demanding combat missions that have contin- tinue doing their work. chalk this up as a failed BRAC round, ued through the rescue and recovery efforts The 2005 Department of Defense rec- not because of Nashville but because of associated with Hurricane Katrina will require ommendations put on the BRAC clo- larger issues. many, many years. The direct and indirect sure list inappropriately the Cleveland So I hope and pray that when the personnel costs of realigning units like the area, and they targeted Cleveland with next BRAC round comes around, we 118th AW do not appear to have been consid- over 1,000 job cuts. We made the case will do a better job starting with the ered in the BRAC process. It takes time and that those potential job losses were un- Pentagon and through the BRAC Com- money to recruit, train and develop experi- just and unfair and counterproductive mission. enced pilots and co-pilots and highly skilled to the interest of our Federal Govern- ment. The BRAC Commission reversal Mr. Chairman, I rise today in favor of H.J. maintenance and support personnel. Indeed, wound up adding 475 jobs, in addition Res. 65, which would reject the recommenda- duplicating the skill, experience and dedication to saving the current jobs. This means tions of the Defense Base Closure and Re- of the 118th AW may be impossible. Cleveland will host 1,500 DFAS jobs and alignment Commission. Fourth, it appears that the Air Force failed to As a member of the House Armed Services fully consider the military value of the Air Na- continue to be a major financial center Committee I initially supported the BRAC proc- tional Guard facilities under consideration. For for the Department of Defense. The BRAC Commission showed inde- ess. It is very important that the composition example, in Nashville, we have spent over $55 pendence from the Pentagon, which is of our bases and infrastructure support the million over the last five years on military con- a rare feat in Washington, D.C. and operational needs of the 21st century—a cen- struction to include a new state of the art Cleveland is grateful for their inde- tury that is emerging to be as dangerous and hangar/maintenance complex that won an Air pendence. This shows all of us why challenging as the 20th century. We must Force design award. Yet it appears much of independence in our government’s deci- adapt to new threats and challenges. But our this new construction was not considered in sion-making process is a crucial ingre- decisions concerning future base structure the evaluation of the 118th AW’s ‘‘Military dient to ensure that the right decisions must be based on what best supports the na- Value.’’ Consequently, these excellent facilities are made. This is another opportunity tional security of the United States. The BRAC will remain in limbo—neither closed nor fully to move our great city off the list of decisions regarding the Air National Guard do operational. Where is the efficiency, cost sav- cities with the highest poverty rate. not meet this test. ings or operational advantage in this arrange- The commission accepted the argu- Consequently, I disagree with the Depart- ment? ment that the Pentagon should not ment of Defense’s recommendations con- Finally, the overall BRAC savings are mini- move jobs from Cleveland, a city with cerning the Air National Guard. Our citizen mal. According to the Base Closure and Re- one of the highest poverty rates in the soldiers of the Air National Guard are a critical alignment Commission, the Department of De- Nation, to other cities which ranked part of our defense structure. They have done fense claimed that their recommendations much lower in poverty. heroic work since 9-11. We simply would not would save $47.8 billion over twenty years. So in all, I believe that the BRAC have been able to sustain the current pace of The Commission concluded that once one recommendations represented a very our operations without the Air National Guard. time up-front costs of $21 billion are sub- thoughtful, well-reasoned set of rec- The Air Force BRAC recommendations tracted and personnel costs are accurately ommendations. I was honored to have failed to fully consider the unique capabilities calculated the total savings to the American the opportunity to participate and ac- and civilian-military partnerships of many of taxpayer will only be $15 billion. This figure is tually see the process at work, and I our Air Guard facilities and the legitimate re- likely high because costs for the retraining of was also honored to work closely with cruiting, training and retention concerns of the pilots, air crews and mechanics are not my colleagues from the House of Rep- state adjutants. Moreover, the BRAC analysis factored into the up-front costs. This is ex- resentatives, the gentlewoman from did not address the potential impact of realign- traordinary. Ohio (Mrs. JONES) and the gentleman ments on State homeland security missions. Consequently, I have concluded that the from Ohio (Mr. LATOURETTE). These ill considered recommendations gen- marginal fiscal benefits of these recommenda- Mr. HEFLEY. Mr. Chairman, I yield erated almost unanimous opposition from tions do not out-weigh the costs to our Air Na- 31⁄2 minutes to the gentleman from State Adjutants. Despite the efforts of the tional Guard flying formations and our national Ohio (Mr. LATOURETTE). commission, this entire process has done security. I will vote ‘‘yes’’ on H.J. Res. 65. Mr. LATOURETTE. Mr. Chairman, I great harm to the vital relationships between Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Chairman, I yield thank the gentleman for yielding me the Air National Guard and the Air Force. This 3 minutes to the gentleman from Ohio this time. harms our national security. (Mr. KUCINICH). In one of the few times since 1995 Let me briefly discuss these flaws using the Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Chairman, I rise when we arrived in the House together, 118th Air Wing (AW) stationed in Nashville as in opposition to this resolution because I am going to disagree with the gen- an example. The decision regarding the re- I believe the BRAC Commission has tleman from Illinois and will vote alignment of the 118th AW, one of the premier performed its job admirably. It wisely against this resolution today. C130H flying units in the United States, illus- chose to remove from the closure list I want to talk a little bit about the trates the nature of the flawed recommenda- the Defense Finance and Accounting Cleveland experience and then the tions that grew out of a closed process. Services in Cleveland which was sched- process and how we moved forward, First, the loss of aircraft from the Air Na- uled to lose 1,028 jobs. This came after which has been addressed by the gen- tional Guard and the movement of aircraft to a very strong community effort in tleman from Ohio (Mr. KUCINICH) and fewer sites will have negative impact of the re- Cleveland that was led by the Greater the gentlewoman from Ohio (Mrs. tention of our most experienced air crews and Cleveland Partnership and attorney JONES).

VerDate Aug 31 2005 05:00 Oct 28, 2005 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00018 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K27OC7.028 H27OCPT1 October 27, 2005 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H9297 I understand why the gentleman said to those Federal employees, you bases experience increasing encroach- from Illinois has brought this resolu- have value, you have worth. They rec- ment. This unparalleled airspace is in tion here today because I remember ognized what they have accomplished the process of being expanded, making the shudder that can go through a com- in becoming centers of excellence, and the base even more valuable. When ap- munity when 1,200 jobs are being dis- they were rewarded for that. That is proved, the New Mexico Training cussed, in some cases more, some cases exactly what we would want to encour- Range Initiative would make Cannon’s less. In Cleveland’s case, they were jobs age. airspace wider and taller and allow for that pay an average of $54,000 a year. The last thing I want to say, we have training at supersonic air speed. You are not just talking about the loss some force protection issues, I strongly believe we will be able to of the tax base. You are also talking antiterrorism protection for Federal identify appropriate missions for Can- about individuals who have made lives, properties are coming up in 2009. I un- non Air Force Base to minimize the whether it be in Cleveland, Indiana, derstand that when it comes to the amount of time during which the base Colorado, Missouri or other parts of men and women who are serving in the will remain in enclave status. Never- the country. active military, but the Cleveland fa- theless, Cannon is too important to our I had one grandmother who came up cility is made up primarily of account- national defense for it to be placed in to me in Lake County, Ohio, after the ants. And I want to protect our men enclave status. decision was made to keep the facility and women in uniform, but the folks in I urge passage of H.J. Res. 65. open in Cleveland, and she said I want the Cleveland building are account- Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Chairman, I yield to thank you because it means my ants, by and large. And I try to read all 3 minutes to the gentleman from Or- grandchildren will not be going to of the chatter from al Qaeda and every- egon (Mr. BLUMENAUER). some faraway place. I can understand where else, and I do not hear a lot of Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Chairman, I the shudder, and as the gentleman chatter about taking out the account- appreciate the gentleman’s courtesy in from Colorado said, maybe we should ants. I would argue that our civilian permitting me to speak against this reexamine how we engage in this. But Department of Defense employees are resolution. I understand the frustra- I want to talk about the process. valuable, but they are no more valu- tions that have been expressed by some The process, although it was nerve- able than the people who work for the of our colleagues here on the floor racking, was also healthy. It was Social Security Administration or the about the BRAC safety valve. I under- healthy because it gave me the oppor- U.S. Marshal’s Office. Before we make stand their frustration. We were in the tunity to work together with the gen- sure that we fortify and penetrate all crosshairs in my community, and some tlewoman from Ohio (Mrs. JONES) and of these buildings for DOD civilian em- of the issues that were raised earlier the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. ployees’ work, we should look at force about the friction within the Pentagon, KUCINICH). I am Republican and they protection for everybody who works for the inability to appropriately focus on are Democrats, and we all put our the Federal Government. the value of the Air Guard and there shoulders to the same wheel to get the Mr. LAHOOD. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 were some other issues that were at same result. It was good to see the minutes to the gentleman from New work here. I think this process is help- labor community and the business Mexico (Mr. UDALL). ing. community in Cleveland all come to- (Mr. UDALL of New Mexico asked I appreciate the debate here on the gether, because sometimes they have and was given permission to revise and floor. I hope that we are able to further disagreements. It was encouraging to extend his remarks.) clarify the role that the Guard, espe- see the leadership of the city of Cleve- Mr. UDALL of New Mexico. Mr. cially the Air Guard and Ready Re- land come together, with Mayor Camp- Chairman, I would like to thank the serve, play as opposed to the Pentagon. bell and others all working towards gentleman from Illinois for introducing The BRAC process in our case al- achieving this result. From bad news, this resolution. I will be voting today lowed us to make the case. We pulled good news took place. in favor of H.J. Res. 65 because I be- together as a community. We were able But as the gentleman from New York lieve the BRAC Commission’s rec- to document that the transfer of the (Mr. BOEHLERT) said, it was not be- ommendations should be overturned. I Air Guard actually would end up cost- cause the gentlewoman from Ohio commend the commission for their ing the taxpayer money, and we were (Mrs. JONES) and the gentleman from thorough and diligent work. They cer- able to demonstrate that it would leave Ohio (Mr. KUCINICH) and I are so power- tainly had a very difficult job. a whole sector of the Northwest United ful. This was a process done on facts. States vulnerable, taking away critical Anthony Principi and the BRAC com- b 1200 air support that has loomed larger as missioners and the professional staff, However, I believe that now is not we deal with the role of homeland secu- and hats off to Marilyn Wasleski in the time to implement a BRAC round, rity in our national defense. particular, they took the time to look considering the number of operations I would hope that our friends on the at the numbers and figure out that our armed services are currently en- Armed Services Committee would when the Pentagon came up with its gaged in around the world. I have great focus on adjustments that may need to original proposal, they had the num- concern about the Pentagon’s ability be made to the BRAC process to allow bers wrong. Just one small example: to adequately assess our needs and as- a higher priority attached to homeland they overvalued the square footage sets while there are so many soldiers security in these decisions in the fu- that was being paid to the General abroad and while the Pentagon awaits ture. It was not as clear when the Services Administration so Cleveland the results of the Quadrennial Review. BRAC legislation was enacted almost did not score as well. I am also concerned about the Com- 20 years ago. I think things have shift- It would have been easy to say we are mission’s recommendation to place ed. I think it is time to readjust it. not going to pay attention to that, but Cannon Air Force Base in enclave sta- I would also hope that this would be the BRAC commissioners paid atten- tus. This decision places Cannon in en- an opportunity for us to focus on what tion. They paid attention to the argu- clave status until 2009, or until a new we are leaving communities with after ments and observations; and at the end mission can be identified for the base. the bases are closed. I have come to the of the day, Cleveland did not win be- I do view this recommendation as a floor pleading for more support from cause Cleveland had more political partial victory for New Mexico since Appropriations and more attention muscle, Cleveland won on the facts and the Department of Defense initially from the Armed Services Committee to on objective standards. slated Cannon for closure, but I firmly unexploded ordnance and military tox- Another thing that impressed me, believe that Cannon should simply ins. the BRAC Commission not only looked have been removed from the list alto- The problem we are facing right now, at the numbers, they looked at the gether. after the 1988 BRAC process, we still human cost. They considered the value Cannon offers the Air Force and its have a dozen communities where they of the 1,100 people that work in that pilots unrestricted airspace and train- have not finished cleaning up those building, the Celebrezze Federal build- ing ranges just off its runways. This is bases. Indeed, the Mather Air Force ing in the city of Cleveland, and they a rarity in today’s Air Force, as more Base in California, in Sacramento,

VerDate Aug 31 2005 05:00 Oct 28, 2005 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00019 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K27OC7.030 H27OCPT1 H9298 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE October 27, 2005 closed in 1988. The cleanup is not going Mr. DELAY. Mr. Chairman, there is I rise to express my disapproval for to be completed until 2072. That is not no shortage of valid complaints to be the recommendations of the Defense fair to communities where bases are made of this round of the Defense Base Base Realignment and Closure and closed. Realignment and Closure Commission’s urge my colleagues to support the gen- While I support the BRAC process, I work. I generally support the BRAC tleman from Illinois’ resolution, of oppose the resolution. I think, in the process. But what is important about which I am a proud cosponsor. This is main, BRAC has worked. I hope we are the BRAC process is the process and the most ill-advised, ill-timed round in able to clarify the role of the Guard how it is handled by the Commission base closure history. We currently have and the Ready Reserve as it relates to itself. I feel that insufficient attention men and women fighting in two coun- national security. was paid to the role each individual tries, and we passed three large supple- I do hope this is a wake-up call to base played in the United States na- mental requests, and the fourth likely what we are leaving communities with, tional security, and, more importantly, in the next few months. We are in the and we can accelerate the cleanup the homeland security. process of closing bases overseas and process. The recommendations seem to be bringing them home. Given these un- Mr. HEFLEY. Mr. Chairman, I re- based much more on bean counting certainties, we cannot know what our serve the balance of my time. than strategic value, nowhere more so base needs or our threat needs will be Mr. LAHOOD. Mr. Chairman, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Illinois than in the case of Ellington Field in for the next 5, 10 or 20 years. Houston, Texas. Ellington Field is cur- Ellington is home to the 147th Air (Mr. EVANS) who represents one of the largest military installations in our rently home to the Texas Air National National Guard Wing, Texas Air Na- State. Guard’s 147th Fighter Wing, who just tional Guard Wing. Houston is the Mr. EVANS. Mr. Chairman, today I got back from Iraq and showed them- fourth largest city in our Nation. It is rise in support of H.J. Res. 65. I totally selves to be exemplary not just in their our home and has a huge petrochemical disagree with the Base Realignment efforts before going to Iraq, but in Iraq complex that accounts for nearly half and Closure Commission’s decision per- itself. They were absolutely exemplary of the Nation’s base petrochemical pro- taining to Rock Island Arsenal and in their efforts and in their service. We duction. The Houston ship channel in other key installations across the Na- appreciate them in everything that the Port of Houston handled more for- tion, including Springfield Air Base as they do. eign tonnage than any other port. We well. But Ellington is also home to several have the Texas Medical Center and The BRAC process is seriously other branches and resources of our NASA’s Johnson Space Center. One of flawed. Both the Department of De- armed services, all of whom are respon- the most vulnerable targets in the area fense and the BRAC Commission failed sible for the protection of the entire is the petrochemical complex, along to follow the criteria established by gulf coast. Its national and homeland with these other assets. Yet the base Congress to base its decisions on mili- security facilities should be plain to closure commission on a close vote de- tary values and cost savings. I expected anyone as in need of more personnel, cided to close Ellington. the DOD and the Commission to follow greater maintenance and better mili- Now, what they are doing is they are the criteria outlined in the BRAC legis- tary assets. saying that we are going to provide lation. It failed to do so. Yet the BRAC Commission has cho- service from San Antonio, Texas. The The BRAC Commission stated it will sen to realign Ellington, removing its problem is that is 23 minutes away. As actually cost the American taxpayer F–16 Fighter Wing and leaving the gulf we know, an airborne attack on a refin- with no further expectation of future coast, to my mind, in many ways more ery complex could seriously disrupt our savings. The government will never re- vulnerable than it is now. The Hous- Nation’s energy supply, causing major ceive a financial payback from this ton-Galveston region has all nine of nationwide economic impacts. An at- move. the FBI targets. It is the only region in tack on a chemical plant could result The BRAC Commission recommended the entire United States that has all in a hazardous release and thousands of realignment of installations in the 17th nine of those targets. casualties. Congressional District of Illinois, but The Commission’s Ellington decision Currently our 147th Air Wing pro- failed to base its decision on military was a bad one. I join with the pro- vides air security in the area, and the value criteria. Rock Island DFAS was ponents of this resolution and, for that solution from the Pentagon is rotating rated number one in military value, matter, the two BRAC Commissions, several planes to fly on alert out of but the Commission recommended con- including Chairman Principi who voted Ellington, which provides a much solidation at facilities rated substan- to save Ellington, in their frustration. smaller deterrent than having a full tially below Rock Island: Columbus, 7; The flawed methodology and dangerous squadron. What would happen if we had Indianapolis, 9; Cleveland, 12; Lime- implications of the Commission’s stone, 17; Rome 19. multiple planes that are attacking dif- The BRAC decisions regarding not work, particularly with regard to the ferent facilities? only bases in Illinois, but throughout Ellington Field decision, leave me no I urge a ‘‘yes’’ vote on the resolution. the Nation, are extremely frustrating choice but to oppose the BRAC rec- Mr. Chairman, I rise to express my dis- because the Commission recognized the ommendations and support the resolu- approval with the recommendations made by military value and cost savings pro- tion before us. the Defense Base Realignment and Closure vided streamlining of bases already un- We should all support the work of the Commission, and to urge my colleagues to dertaken on a local level. BRAC Commission to consolidate and support this resolution. I am a former marine, and I will not improve the alignment of our military This is the most ill-advised and ill-timed surrender this fight to save jobs at the assets to strengthen our national secu- round in the history of Base Realignments and Rock Island Arsenal. I will continue to rity. This round of recommendations, Closures. We currently have men and women work with the Quad City Development in my view, does not accomplish that fighting in two countries, we have passed Group and local officials to strengthen goal. I will continue to work on behalf three of the largest supplemental requests in the arsenal and to bring more jobs to of Ellington Field and to ensure na- our Nation’s history with a fourth likely in the the island. tional and homeland security interests next several months, and we are in the proc- Mr. Chairman, I want to thank the of the gulf coast region. ess of closing bases overseas and bringing gentleman from Peoria, Illinois who Mr. HEFLEY. Mr. Chairman, I re- troops home. has done an outstanding job in fighting serve the balance of my time. Given these uncertainties, we cannot begin this battle. I look forward to working Mr. LAHOOD. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 to know what our basing needs will be 5, 10, with him on the cleanup of this process minutes to the gentleman from Texas or 20 years down the road. However, instead and hope that we do not have to go (Mr. GENE GREEN). of postponing this round of closures for 2 or 3 through it again. I appreciate his lead- Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas. Mr. years like many members of the House and ing the charge on this bill today. Chairman, I am proud to follow my Senate supported, one of the most conten- Mr. LAHOOD. Mr. Chairman, I yield 3 neighbor from Texas (Mr. DELAY). tious rounds of BRAC was pushed through. minutes to the gentleman from Texas Ellington is in his district, but I am Like many other communities across the (Mr. DELAY). the next closest Member. country, the district I represent was affected

VerDate Aug 31 2005 05:00 Oct 28, 2005 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00020 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\K27OC7.045 H27OCPT1 October 27, 2005 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H9299 by the Defense Department’s plan to consoli- the petrochemical facilities and Port of Hous- came to me. They said, Will you take date Air National Guard units, leaving one of ton, would cost our national economy billions this on at your Springfield F–16 base? the largest metropolitan areas in the country of dollars. We saluted and said, Yes, sir, we will less prepared to respond to a terrorist attack. Mr. Chairman, this round of BRAC is ill-ad- do it. Houston is the fourth largest city in the Na- vised and ill-timed and I urge my colleagues to We put in over $85 million to make tion, and is home to a petrochemical complex join me in supporting this resolution. this a first-class flight school. We have that accounts for nearly half of the Nation’s Mr. LAHOOD. Mr. Chairman, I yield 5 not even opened the $8.5 million tower base petrochemical production capacity. The minutes to the gentleman from Ohio yet. We just finished the fire station. Houston shipping channel and the Port of (Mr. HOBSON). We put in a $10 million pad. And what Houston handle more foreign tonnage than (Mr. HOBSON asked and was given do we find out? We are being realigned. any other U.S. port. Also, we have NASA’s permission to revise and extend his re- ‘‘Realigned’’ means you lose your air- Johnson Space Center, and the Texas Med- marks.) planes; you lose your mission. What are we going to do? Now I find out ical Center. b 1215 One of the most vulnerable targets in the there is another mission available for area, and possibly the country, is the petro- Mr. HOBSON. Mr. Chairman, I rise flight school, but they want to take it chemical complex; a tremendous complex that reluctantly in support of this motion. I and possibly put it in another place, stretches the length of the Houston Ship have always supported the BRAC. I someplace else, and spend the money Channel and continues along the coast have been here through three of these, again and take these airplanes. through Beaumont, Texas. We have seen in and I always thought they were well Let me tell you what the Commis- the aftermath of Katrina and Rita the negative reasoned before, win, lose or draw; and sion’s findings were regarding Spring- effects caused by disruptions in our oil supply by the standards of win, lose or draw, I field Air National Guard Base. I am and refining capacity, and leaving this area probably came out okay in a lot of upset because they always did this by unprotected is leaving the door open to a ter- ways in this, because four out of five the numbers in the past. This was not rorist attack on this critical infrastructure. facilities in my area did well. The done by the numbers, and that is why The Port of Houston is the second largest Army did well in this BRAC. I am so infuriated about what hap- petrochemical complex in the world, and the But I always thought the BRAC was pened, because I do not mind a fair largest in the Western Hemisphere, which pro- based upon numbers and savings and fight. We thought we had this won, until duces over 35 percent of the Nation’s gasoline mission, and suddenly I find out that is the Air Force went to the commis- at a great many refineries. not true. I am going to read something Numerous chemical plants also line the here in a minute about that. That is sioners at the last moment and said, channel, producing a number of volatile com- what troubles me in this one, because Hey, you have got to change this, be- cause they were going in the right di- pounds. According to the U.S. Coast Guard, the Air Force set out on a plan to ar- rection the day before. The next day 7,600 deep draft vessels arrive each year, and rive at a number, and they destroyed, when they got up, I knew we were dead. 60 percent of those ships carry sensitive oil/ in my opinion, much of what one of their components does best, and that is Let me read the commission findings: chemical cargos. ‘‘The commission found that the De- An airborne attack on the refinery chemical the Air National Guard. Let me give you an example. At partment of Defense recommendation complex could seriously disrupt the Nation’s to realign Springfield-Beckley Munic- energy supply, causing major nation-wide eco- Mansfield, Ohio, they realigned the base. ‘‘Realignment’’ means you do not ipal Airport Air Guard Station should nomic impacts. An attack on a chemical plant be supported even though the military could result in a hazardous release with thou- technically get BRAC’ed, but you get no airplanes, so you have to find some- value criteria were flawed and the re- sands of casualties. alignment will be a cost instead of a Currently the 147th Fighter Wing of the thing else to do. Let me tell you, the soldiers that were in the Dome shortly savings to the Department.’’ Texas Air National Guard provides air security I mean, give me a break. It is flawed after Katrina were Ohio Army Guards- in the area and could respond to a threat on and there is no savings; but, by the men. They were flown there in 130s out the complex or at the port in minutes because way, the mission is going away, and we of Mansfield. The soldiers that were in of the close proximity. are not going to train these pilots. This Mississippi from Ohio were flown down Rotating several planes to fly on alert out of place is training pilots better than by 130s from Mansfield. The soldiers Ellington, provides a much smaller deterrent they were expected to do and more that were in Texas from Ohio were than having a full squadron permanently sta- than they were expected to do, and yet flown in by 130s from Mansfield. tioned there, and would not provide enough it is being realigned. The airplanes are When BRAC gets done, there are not planes to respond to multiple attacks on mul- gone. If we are going to do this this tiple targets in the area. any airplanes at Mansfield. So how way, this is wrong and we have to Meanwhile the closest full squadron would many days are we going to wait to stand up and say it is wrong. be in San Antonio, and would take approxi- come in and pick those people up and I think this happened in more in- mately 23 minutes longer to respond to a bring them down? Because we have stances than just mine, and that is why threat than the F–16s at Ellington can cur- still got a large Army Guard that can I am so upset about the way this was rently provide. perform, and they have shown they can done. It was not done by the numbers; In addition to providing security for the perform; but 2 years from now, that is it was done to drive to a number that Houston area, the 147th is capable of pro- not going to happen. That does not the Air Force had to get to to save viding precision strikes, close air support, of- look smart to me. some airplanes like the F–22 and some fensive counter air, defensive counter air, and If you look at the chart that shows other things. suppression of enemy air defenses. the support in the hurricane by the Air So I am just hoping the people will The area around Ellington also provides the National Guard, it is far superior to vote in support of the resolution. 147th with excellent training airspace, includ- what the Air Reserve did or especially Mr. Chairman, I rise today to support this ing over-water air-to-air training on the Gulf of the active duty in response to these resolution of disapproval on the Base Realign- Mexico allowing them to perform supersonic hurricanes. That is not going to be ment and Closure Commission’s (BRAC) rec- flights and lights out training from the surface there 2 years from now. ommendations that are now before Congress. to 50,000 feet. Now, closer to home, my Springfield This is not a decision that I have come to Terrorists have proven their intent and capa- Air National Guard Base. It is a train- lightly. During this latest BRAC round, there bility to attack ground targets with multiple air- ing base. I did not ask to do this mis- were several recommendations made that will craft and retiring the 147th Fighter Wing’s F- sion. The Air Guard and the Air Force benefit the State of Ohio and the 7th Congres- 16s leaves Houston vulnerable to an attack. came to me and said, We screwed up. sional District that I represent. However, I can- The savings estimated in the DoD’s BRAC We have closed much of our flight not in good conscience accept a process that report are minimal and do not justify moving training. We need another place to do was fundamentally flawed and very unfair in the F–16s away from Ellington; while it is esti- this. Will your State take this on? My the decisions made with regard to our coun- mated that retiring the F–16s will save DoD State said it will. try’s National Guard and Reserve. $3.6 million over 20 years, an attack on any They came to me, I was chairman of I represent four military bases, including the of the possible targets listed above, especially the MILCON, if you wonder how they Springfield Air National Guard Base (ANG),

VerDate Aug 31 2005 05:00 Oct 28, 2005 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00021 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A27OC7.015 H27OCPT1 H9300 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE October 27, 2005 the Defense Supply Center Columbus this capacity through this proposed realign- tain its 6,000 jobs, and is scheduled to receive (DSCC), Wright Patterson Air Force Base ment, it even further diminishes this capability, many high-paying jobs. (AFB), and Rickenbacker International Airport. especially since this unit is the highest F–16 But, Mr. Chairman, I think that in the years Each of these military installations has an ex- pilot production unit in the Guard. The BRAC to come when the recommendations regarding ceptional workforce dedicated to the military analysis on Springfield shows that operational the Guard and Reserve are set in motion, missions assigned to them, whether it is personnel will begin to leave the base in 2007, people will realize that this latest BRAC round logistical support for deployed troops, research while there are student pilots scheduled for was flawed, and consequently the wrong thing and development, or pilot training. training in 2008. to do. It is for these reasons that I will stand Mr. Chairman, this is the third BRAC round Mr. Chairman, there is also the issue of here today and support this resolution to over- that I have been through, so I understand the homeland security. Like some of my col- turn the 2005 BRAC recommendations. importance of community leaders and base of- leagues, I think it is fair for us to consider Mr. LAHOOD. Mr. Chairman, I yield 7 ficials doing the homework necessary to de- what these BRAC recommendations will mean minutes to the gentleman from Mis- fine the installation’s military value, and the for the future of the National Guard in re- sissippi (Mr. TAYLOR). potential economic impact this process will sponding to emergency situations. As we saw Mr. TAYLOR of Mississippi. Mr. have on communities where bases are lo- in the days following the recent hurricanes in Chairman, I have come to the same cated. During this latest round, I would argue the gulf coast region and on 9/11, the Air Na- conclusion as the great gentleman that Ohio had some of the most hardworking tional Guard was a critical resource in trans- from Ohio (Mr. HOBSON). I have just and competent individuals working on behalf porting troops, supplies and protection. For ex- probably been at it longer. Article I, of our State’s installations. ample, the Mansfield, Ohio-based 179th Airlift section 8 of the Constitution gives Con- We testified at hearings in Buffalo and Wing flew over 50 missions in support of Hur- gress the responsibility to provide for Washington, DC, and briefed BRAC Commis- ricane Katrina relief efforts. Yet, homeland se- the national defense. It does not make sioners and staff during site visits to DSCC in curity did not appear to be a major part of this us generals; it does not make us admi- Columbus and to Wright-Patterson. We also BRAC process. rals. We do not tell admirals how to worked together in reviewing the numbers Overall, I was very disappointed in the proc- sink ships; we do not tell generals how used by the Pentagon in making their BRAC ess by which the Air National Guard decisions to takes hills. We do, hopefully, pro- recommendations. were made, particularly the flaws in the Air vide sound business decisions for them. Mr. Chairman, I think that I can speak for Force analysis. These flaws run throughout The whole concept of BRAC is taking other delegations when stating that our efforts the entire BRAC process, from the consolida- that decision-making process away in getting information from the Air Force during tion of aircraft models, and the so-called right from the people who begged for the job this BRAC round did not start well. When we sizing of operations, to the poor or nonexistent and were given the job by the citizens requested material on how they came to their analysis of the cost to replace the people from and delegating it to some other people. recommendations, we didn’t receive it for the locations that are being set aside. This I did not run for Congress to delegate weeks. And when we did receive the data, it doesn’t even consider the recruiting and reten- my responsibilities. I take them very was inaccurate. tion issues that we already face. And, it seriously. As I’ve already stated, I was very dis- doesn’t speak to the cost of personnel training The service Secretaries would come appointed by the DOD and BRAC Commis- to recreate this capability, and the loss of ex- before our committee, for years they sion’s final recommendations with regard to perience that will occur by the Air Force plans. have come before our committee and the Air National Guard. This was especially Finally, I was dismayed that there was ab- said, We have too many bases. Every true regarding their recommendations to redis- solutely no discussion by the BRAC commis- single service Secretary. The gen- tribute the 178th Fighter Wing F–16 aircraft sioners or staff regarding the National Guard tleman from Hawaii (Mr. ABERCROMBIE) from the Springfield Air National Guard Base. recommendations during the final consider- and I would respond to the service Sec- I have said all along that if the BRAC proc- ations on August 26th. Until then, there was retaries, Name one base that you want ess had been fair and done ‘‘by the numbers’’, much talk about the lack of consultation and to close. Just one. The same service that I would accept the outcome, even if I the quality of the recommendations by the Air Secretaries who said they wanted to didn’t like it. But unfortunately, this was not the Force throughout this BRAC round. There was cancel the Crusader, who said they case. even the suggestion that the entire set should wanted to cancel the Arsenal ship, who First of all, the BRAC analysis material stat- have been thrown out by the BRAC commis- wanted to cancel the Joint Strike ed there is only one F–16 Formal Training sion. Fighter, the same guys who have no Unit in the Air National Guard. This is wrong! On the day the BRAC Commission upheld hesitation on canceling things and There are two Air National Guard F–16 Formal their recommendation to realign the Springfield making tough decisions, never named Training Units, and one of them is at the Air National Guard Base, I wrote a letter to one base that they wanted to close. Springfield ANG Base. each BRAC Commissioner to express my dis- We followed that up with a very sim- Second, I was asked several years ago if I appointment with the way they handled deci- ple question: In the three previous would support Springfield taking on this train- sions regarding the National Guard. I pointed rounds of BRAC, can you name one ing mission that would require specialized in- out that there was no discussion when, by the weapons system that you have bought frastructure to support it. I was the Chairman numbers, we had demonstrated the flaws in with those savings? Can you name one of the Appropriations Subcommittee for Mili- the Pentagon’s proposal. I also asked for an additional benefit that you have given tary Construction at the time, and I agreed to explanation on how the commissioners arrived to the troops? Can you name one good support the Air Force in this effort. More than at their decision, and I received no answer. thing that came out of this? Never $75 million in federal funding has been in- Finally, in early September, I wrote to the once could they answer that question. vested in the Springfield base to support its F– President requesting the same information, You see, BRAC saves no money. What 16 training mission. Over the years, we have and for his consideration to send the rec- people miss in all of this is that when put in a new ramp to accommodate the plane, ommendations impacting the Air National a base is closed, the local communities a flight simulator, a dining hall, an operations Guard back to the BRAC Commission with in- then come to Congress, as they should, building, and a new control tower that is still structions to use programmatic changes to re- and say, Look, you have just put all under construction. Some of these assets are shape our state militia forces. Unfortunately, my folks out of work. We at least want only now becoming operational. for the men and women in the Guard and Re- the property back. And in every in- Third, everyone agrees there are no cost serve, I am still waiting for a reply. stance Congress has given that prop- savings achieved by realigning the Springfield As I stated before, opposing the BRAC rec- erty back to the locals, so there is no ANG Base. In fact, the commission actually ommendations was not an easy decision. savings of selling off the property. concluded in its report that DOD’s ‘‘rec- Overall, Ohio faired well during the commis- As a matter of fact, it gets worse, be- ommendation to realign the Springfield base sion’s final proceedings. Wright-Patterson will cause our Nation has to live by the should be supported even though the military keep over 2,000 information and technology same laws as everyone else. If an indi- value criteria were flawed and the realignment jobs that were to be transferred to Hanscom, vidual pollutes a piece of property, will be a cost instead of savings to the Pen- Massachusetts, and it will also keep a first- they have to clean it up before they tagon.’’ class post-graduate program known as the Air can sell it. To date, our Nation has Fourth, the Air Force lacks sufficient training Force Institute of Technology (AFIT). In Co- spent $15 billion cleaning up properties capacity for F–16 pilots. If we further reduce lumbus, the Defense Supply Center will main- before we gave them away.

VerDate Aug 31 2005 05:00 Oct 28, 2005 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00022 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A27OC7.020 H27OCPT1 October 27, 2005 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H9301 The gentleman from Ohio (Mr. HOB- more secure, and, above all, if the serv- DOD’s recommendations would not SON) makes an excellent point: every ice Secretaries cannot name a single hurt the warfighter, even though they time you lose a base, you lose a capa- base that they think is worthy of clos- admitted there was a serious concern bility. The worst of Hurricane Katrina ing, why are we going to close so many about the warfighter and how in the hit my congressional district. I was bases in one fell swoop? days of Fort Monmouth the commu- very fortunate to be friends with Admi- We were elected to follow the Con- nications and electronics functions ral Mullen, the Chief of Naval Oper- stitution. The Constitution clearly crucial to Iraq might be seriously ham- ations. I was very fortunate to be gives Congress the responsibility to pered, they still decided to include it friends with General Steven Bloom, the provide for the Army and the Navy. on the list. head of the National Guard Bureau. In Let us do our job and let us not hide Mr. LAHOOD. Mr. Chairman, I yield 4 my frantic calls to them in the after- behind some commission to do our minutes to my friend from Hawaii (Mr. math of the storm begging for their work for us. I urge Members to vote ABERCROMBIE). help, their first response was, Where against the recommendations of this (Mr. ABERCROMBIE asked and was can I put my people? Name a barracks, commission. given permission to revise and extend name an airfield, name a place where I Mr. LAHOOD. Mr. Chairman, I thank his remarks.) can put my people so they can help the the gentleman from Mississippi for his Mr. ABERCROMBIE. Mr. Chairman, I people of Mississippi. very articulate statement. thank the gentleman for yielding me Every time you lose a base, you lose Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to time. a place to put those people in the event the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Look, we are down here on the floor, weather, whether it is a tsunami in the PALLONE). it is empty. Maybe some folks are lis- Pacific, a hurricane in Mississippi, a Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Chairman, let me tening in their offices. I hope they are. flood or earthquake on the west coast, say initially I do not believe in the I hope at least some of the staff, some a flood in the Midwest, you lose a capa- BRAC. I have opposed every BRAC ini- folks may be paying attention. tially from the very beginning, and I bility to help the American people. b 1230 We are at war. Goodness gracious, we have been here in Congress 18 years. have 140,000 Americans fighting and The reason I do not believe in BRAC Our problem here is very, very sim- dying in Iraq. We have another 20,000- was somewhat articulated by the pre- ple. Over and over again our colleagues plus in Afghanistan. Did anyone see vious speaker. I think it is a abroga- will say to us, well, I got out of this these wars coming? The truth of the tion of Congress’ responsibility. There okay, or we have resolved that issue. I matter is, in my time in Congress we is no reason why we cannot make these am one of those folks. I can say that. I have had a war in Panama that no one decisions, and to give these decisions have had people come up and say to saw coming, we have had two wars in to an independent commission, I think, me, well, why are you bothering? Pearl Iraq that we really did not see coming, is just a cop-out on our part. So I want Harbor made it out of there. we had a war in Bosnia that no one saw to start out with that. Why was it taken up in the first coming. So when you close a base, you I also want to say in this particular place? I will tell you why. It is politics. close it forever and you lose that capa- round in 2005, I strongly disapproved of This has nothing to do with whether or bility to respond to future contin- the BRAC even more so than in the not there is some rational process that gencies. past because we are in a war in Iraq. has been undertaken, and everybody in Above all, when some new weapons You do not shut down, in my opinion, here knows it. For once, can we not system comes along, you lose a place military infrastructure at a time of come down on this floor and actually to deploy it. Right now our Nation is war. I think this BRAC in particular is vote the way all of us really under- buying 30,000 acres in North Carolina, poorly timed and ill advised. stand where our responsibilities are? and some people in North Carolina Now, the 2005 round of BRAC also was Pearl Harbor got brought up for a think it is a great idea and some people done hastily, in my opinion, with very very simple reason. They were going to think it is a terrible idea. We are little regard to the actual warfighter. close a facility up in Maine, and the spending a heck of a lot of your money A number of bases with great func- people in Maine in their panic said, do buying land in North Carolina so we tional value are being shut down in the not take us, take Pearl Harbor instead. can build a base to land F–18s, the new- name of savings. I do not believe any- They started comparing some naval ap- est version of the F–18, when they come one at the Department of Defense or ples, some shipyard apples with some off the carriers. any member of the BRAC Commission shipyard oranges, and they came up Then we have to buy the land and actually believes that this round of with, well, go get Pearl Harbor. It had build a runway. And everyone who has BRAC will actually save us any money, nothing to do with it. I did not come served knows it does not end with the and I listened to many of the BRAC back and say, no, no, no, not us; go runway. You have to have a fire sta- hearings. back to Maine, go get them. What kind tion, barracks for the enlisted, bar- I am also truly disappointed because of a process is that where we try to de- racks for the single guys, family hous- I believed that the BRAC ultimately vour each other? I said, let us keep all ing for the married folks, you have to would try to be an independent broker of them open. We need every shipyard have commissaries, you have to have and that the commission would review facility that we can get in this coun- fun things for the guys to do when they each facility, analyze the data, and try. are off duty, because we are trying to come to conclusions based on facts. I We are going to be going back out to attract young people like you to come do not think that was the case. The op- Guam soon because of what is taking serve our country. All of these things posite was the case. In the case of Fort place in the Pacific right now, and hav- cost money, and we are going to build Monmouth, which is the installation ing to recapitulate everything that got all these things in North Carolina at near my district, a lot of the people put under the water out there in Guam, great expense to the public. employed there live in my district. We billions of dollars is going to have to be With you we already had all those successfully proved, myself, the two put back into Guam in order for us to things. We had all those things that we Senators and several other Congress- be able to protect and project our stra- are getting ready to buy and build in men, including the gentleman from tegic interests in the Pacific. North Carolina in Jacksonville, Flor- New Jersey (Mr. HOLT), we successfully We are under a review right now in ida. It was called Cecil Field. It had a proved to the BRAC Commission, in the Armed Services Committee, and we 10,000-foot runway and three 8,000-foot my opinion, that the Army substan- do not even have the courage of our runways. It had an excellent quality of tially deviated from six of the eight own convictions under our own juris- life, and it was all paid for by the BRAC criteria. The BRAC actually said dictions in our committees. American taxpayer, and a previous that, that the Pentagon deviated from It is not that I am right or Mr. round of BRAC closed that. six of the eight BRAC criteria. LAHOOD is right or Mr. HOBSON is So, please, proponents of this, tell me But, even so, even though the BRAC wrong or right, or Mr. TAYLOR. That is how we are saving the taxpayers was supposedly an independent com- not the issue. The issue is are we meet- money, how we are making the Nation mission tasked with ensuring that the ing our responsibilities here? We are

VerDate Aug 31 2005 05:00 Oct 28, 2005 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00023 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K27OC7.036 H27OCPT1 H9302 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE October 27, 2005 constantly admonished that no sac- a Cold War model to a post-Cold War oh, by the way, we are closing your rifice is too great. We are constantly security environment. Remember, the base. Now, what kind of a message is admonished that we have to honor the Department of Homeland Security has that? That was my point earlier on in sacrifices that are being made by our not been consulted, Mr. Chairman, on my opening statement. We owe it to fighting men and women all over the the impact these base closures pose to the people. world right now. Yet we cringe from our domestic security. I ask Members to consider this: To our own responsibilities as Members of Mr. Chairman, the world has changed the people who are doing the hard work Congress to meet those responsibilities enormously since the last BRAC round. in Iraq, the people that did the hard and obligations with regard to bases. Our threats are not static as they once work in Afghanistan, this is not the Now, I have been told over and over were. Today we face an asymmetric way to say to them, job well done. It is again, well, that is all well and good, threat from an enemy that knows no not the way to say to them, you did a but people are going to come down borders nor rules of warfare. The great job in standing up for democracy here, and you are going to lose anyway. threat of international terrorism re- in Afghanistan and doing the hard It happens occasionally some people quires us to have the best tools avail- work in Iraq. And, oh, by the way, come down and say, you know, I was able to respond to threats on our allies, there is no base to come back to, be- going to vote the other way. Let us, for our interests, and our homeland at a cause your unit is being eliminated. Is once, come down here, and I make this moment’s notice, and I am afraid that that the message we want to send to appeal out there to anybody who is the current BRAC recommendations the people who do the hard work, to thinking about coming to the floor. hamper our ability to do so. the 130,000, 140,000 people now serving Vote for Mr. LAHOOD’s recommenda- Take, for instance, the recommenda- in Iraq, the citizen soldiers that have tion. tion that the largest joint reserve base left their jobs and their families and We are not down here just to hear on the east coast should be closed. The left their communities? I do not think ourselves. When you come over here, Willow Grove Joint Reserve Base di- so. search your conscience, and, for once, rectly borders my district in Pennsyl- The point that Mr. TAYLOR made, let us live up to what people expect of vania. Hundreds of my constituents why not give Congress the responsi- us in this Congress. For once let us not rely on that base for their National bility, the Armed Services Committee fulfill some stereotype that we are just Guard training. Thousands of my con- the responsibility; why lay it off on going to roll over because we managed stituents rely on the customer traffic somebody else? We should not be doing to make it out the door. That is not the servicemen and women stationed at that. This is our responsibility. That is what we are here for. Willow Grove provide for their local why we are elected, to make these deci- If this is just a job to you, then do businesses that surround the base. And, sions. not run again. This is a calling. This is on a larger scale, both my constituents The report is flawed. You can say all a vocation. It is supposed to be. That is and Americans from New York to Bal- you want about the great work that the way I feel about it, and I know that timore benefit from the base’s protec- was done. I know people that serve on is the way most Members feel about it. tion. Willow Grove’s strategic position the base closing commission, and I They want to be able to look in the allows its air assets to protect the know they spend a lot of time, but this mirror at night and recognize some- ports of Philadelphia, Wilmington, and work is flawed. This is a flawed report. body with a little bit of integrity and Baltimore. It serves as a FEMA alter- This is our opportunity in the House to walk into their homes justified. native site, providing a staging ground speak up and speak out. The Defense If we are going to justify our job, ev- so Federal resources can be distributed Department has had their say. The erybody knows in their heart that we in the event of a natural disaster or a President had his say. The BRAC Com- should not be voting for this, regard- terrorist attack. mission had their say. Now it is the less of our good friends being on it, like Militarily the base has a great track House’s turn to say to the hard-work- Mr. Hansen and Mr. Bilbray, for exam- record of achievement by training com- ing citizen soldiers, we appreciate your ple, who are colleagues and personal bined arms jointly for over a decade, work, we are going to stand with you, friends to many of us here. It is not a practically setting the standard for we are going to allow these bases to re- question of whether they did their job interoperability between branches of main open, we are going to vote for the or did not do their job; it is whether we the armed services. resolution that says that this BRAC are doing our job, and we are meeting I urge my colleagues to support this should not stand, that these rec- our obligations. resolution. ommendations should not stand. That So I appeal to everybody on their Mr. LAHOOD. Mr. Chairman, I be- is what the House should be saying way over here. Let us vote for RAY lieve I have the right to close. I have today. I hope the majority of Members LAHOOD’s resolution, and let us do the no other speakers, and if these gentle- will do that. right thing by ourselves and the Na- men are ready, when they finish, I will I mentioned earlier, there is a law on tion. close. the books, passed by Congress, that Mr. LAHOOD. Mr. Chairman, I yield 3 The Acting CHAIRMAN (Mr. BISHOP says that you cannot close air and minutes to the gentleman from Penn- of Utah). The Chair will recognize for Guard bases unless you get the author- sylvania (Mr. FITZPATRICK). closing speeches in reverse order of ity from the Governors. We even had a Mr. FITZPATRICK of Pennsylvania. opening. It will be the gentleman from report from one of the people that was Mr. Chairman, I rise today in strong Missouri (Mr. SKELTON), the gentleman working for BRAC that this law has support of the resolution and join the from Illinois (Mr. LAHOOD), and the standing. The BRAC ignored this. The growing chorus of the Members of Con- gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Defense Department has ignored us on gress who are coming down to the floor HEFLEY). this. We should not be doing this. This today disappointed in the recommenda- The Chair recognizes the gentleman is the wrong message. This is the tions of the Base Realignment Closure from Missouri (Mr. SKELTON). wrong idea to send to our country, to Commission. Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Chairman, I yield send to the people who are doing the I cannot understand why, in a time back the balance of my time. work and continue to do the work. that we are fighting a global war on Mr. LAHOOD. Mr. Chairman, I yield As I said earlier, I have supported the terror, a war where we are actively en- myself whatever time I have remain- President and this administration and gaged on two fronts and obligated to ing. the Secretary of Defense, who is a also increase domestic defense against Mr. Chairman, let me just pick up on friend of mine from Illinois, in every- terrorism here at home, the Depart- a couple of the people that have spo- thing they have wanted to do in Af- ment of Defense has suggested, in fact ken. I want to pick up on a point that ghanistan and Iraq. I know a lot of recommended, that we close bases Mr. DELAY made. He has an Air Guard Members have. The majority of the across the Nation. unit returning to Ellington Air Force membership of this House has. Now we More troubling is the fact that the Base to a slap in the face, to essen- ought to say to them, we do not agree Department of Defense has moved tially being told, you have done great with your recommendations. We do not ahead in this BRAC round by applying work, thanks for what you did in Iraq; agree that we should be realigning

VerDate Aug 31 2005 05:00 Oct 28, 2005 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00024 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K27OC7.038 H27OCPT1 October 27, 2005 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H9303 bases, turning people away, turning Now, it may be different people. commission’s decision to move these Direc- out bases and shutting down bases Maybe some of the people that are dis- torates from their home at Hanscom. where the good work has been done. satisfied today will be satisfied at the I am concerned that the recommendation to So based on that argument, based on next round, but we would all have to go realign the AFRL did not appropriately value the flawed BRAC report, based on a law through this again next year or the the highly skilled workforce currently at these that is on the books, a Federal law that next. And we would, all of our commu- facilities, and that the expertise of many of says you cannot close these air and nities that have any base connected to these employees will be lost as the rec- Guard bases without the authority of them would have to go through this ommendations are implemented. The reloca- the Governor, I ask Members to speak again. I am not sure we would get any tion of AFRL’s Sensors and Space Vehicles up today, to be a voice for the people, better results, no matter what process Directorates will result in significant costs with to be a voice for the military, to be a we use, than we have today. Some few gains. voice that says, this BRAC is not right, would be happy, some would be un- While I strongly protest this decision, I am and I urge Members to vote for the res- happy, some would complain, some pleased that overall, the commission’s rec- olution. would want it to go just like it is. I ommendations on Hanscom reaffirmed the Mr. Chairman, I yield back the bal- think we would end up with the same value of the regional human capital capabili- ance of my time. kinds of results as we have today. ties in science and technology—and I am en- Mr. HEFLEY. Mr. Chairman, I yield So while I agree that this is not a couraged by the commission’s indication that myself the remaining time. perfect process, I do not think we want the Air Force will look to expand the mission Several Members have spoken elo- to go through it again next year. at Hanscom outside of the BRAC process. I quently about the fact that this is our I would ask each of my colleagues to look forward to working with the Air Force as job. Mr. TAYLOR did an excellent job of vote against this resolution, and let us this process takes shape. that. Mr. ABERCROMBIE did an excellent proceed to make the best we possibly With respect to the overall BRAC process, I job of that, that we ought to be making can out of this for the defense of this am concerned by flaws in the current model these decisions, that we should not country. that led to a number of errors. For instance, turn it over to a commission. I would Mr. MEEHAN. Mr. Chairman, as a member questions remain unanswered about the Pen- agree with that wholeheartedly, except of the House Armed Services Committee, I re- tagon’s failure to consult with State governors, this is a job that we simply cannot luctantly support the BRAC recommendations State adjutants general, and the Department seem to do. We did not close a major base in this today, and oppose this motion of disapproval of Homeland Security on decisions related to country from the 1970s until the BRAC pending before the House. the National Guard and key homeland security process began. I did not like supporting I support these recommendations because I functions located outside the Pentagon’s bu- the BRAC process when the BRAC believe that the goals of BRAC are worthy— reaucracy. These questions resulted in law- process was first introduced, but I saw to maximize warfighting capability and effi- suits against the Pentagon and the BRAC it as the only way that we could ever ciency for both traditional warfighting and Commission by a number of States, including deal with the question of excess inven- counterterrorist efforts. An integrated military my home State of Massachusetts. tory. force able to communicate and coordinate ef- Additionally, a lack of organization was evi- Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Chairman, will fectively in response to conflict remains crucial dent during the commission’s consideration of the gentleman yield? to national security and the war on terrorism. the possible expansion of Hanscom, as well Mr. HEFLEY. I yield to the gen- I am concerned by technical errors and the as the commission’s overall recommendations tleman from Missouri. overall process used by the Pentagon and the related to Otis Air Force Base at Cape Cod. Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Chairman, I Base Realignment and Closure—BRAC— While I support the 2005 BRAC rec- might point out to the gentleman that Commission to reach the recommendations ommendations, I am deeply concerned that we in Congress did pass the basic BRAC before us this evening, and it is my hope that these types of errors set a bad precedent for law which we are following today. in the future, significant improvements will be future BRAC rounds. The Pentagon must en- Mr. TAYLOR of Mississippi. Mr. made on the current model when realignment sure that the Department of Homeland Secu- Chairman, will the gentleman yield? and closure decisions are made. rity and other relevant stakeholders are appro- Mr. HEFLEY. I yield to the gen- However, within the current model, there are priately included in their process, and that our tleman from Mississippi. some successes to which we can point. For Nation’s homeland security needs are fully Mr. TAYLOR of Mississippi. Mr. instance, the Pentagon and the BRAC Com- evaluated. Chairman, I would like to remind the mission rightly highlighted the key role that Mr. MICHAUD. Mr. Chairman, today, the gentleman that this Congress closed Hanscom Air Force Base, located in my con- House will likely vote not to reject the rec- the naval station at Roosevelt Roads gressional district, plays in our national secu- ommendations of the Base Realignment and without a BRAC. rity efforts. Closure Commission, moving the BRAC proc- Mr. HEFLEY. Mr. Chairman, re- The process reaffirmed Hanscom’s role as ess one step closer to an end. This has been claiming my time, we did, following the military’s pre-eminent development center a very difficult BRAC round for the State of the introduction of the BRAC process, for communication and intelligence tech- Maine. When the list came out 5 months ago, but we did close that. But we basically nologies. Hanscom will clearly play a central all of Maine’s three facilities were in great do not have the power to do that, be- role as we transform our military in the coming jeopardy, and few believed that we had a cause if I have the power to close Mr. decades. chance of saving any of them. But the entire SKELTON’s base, he might vote to close In its decisions on Hanscom, the BRAC delegation, the governor, and the communities my base, and we keep going around the process recognized that the success or failure came together and presented the best pos- room like that, and we are unable to do of a base in fulfilling its mission relies on the sible arguments in all three cases, and as a it. availability of skilled and experienced per- result, Maine did better than anyone thought So the BRAC process has worked for sonnel and the connections that develop in in- we could. We saved Portsmouth Naval Ship- better or for worse. I see both sides of tellectual clusters. yard and in a victory that would have been un- it. I chaired a committee that oversees Unfortunately, the Commission wrongly de- thinkable only a few months before, we actu- the BRAC process. I do not want any cided to move an estimated 200 jobs from ally grew DFAS Limestone, bringing jobs to an more BRAC processes like this. But I Hanscom’s Air Force Research Lab—AFRL— area that desperately needs them. These two would remind my colleagues again that Space and Sensors Directorates. Those func- actions represent tremendous victories for the if we vote for this resolution, and this tions are best left at Hanscom to maintain ex- people of Maine. resolution passes today, and we turn isting synergies and human capital. I strongly disagree with the recommendation down this BRAC process, we will be When the BRAC Commission held their to close Naval Air Station Brunswick. It was back here in this room a year from now New England Regional Hearing in Boston on the wrong decision and I have fought it every or 2 years from now, probably more July 6, I submitted testimony to the commis- step of the way together with the whole Maine like a year from now, we will be back sion arguing that the decision to realign the delegation. in this room dealing with another AFRL at Hanscom was inconsistent with other Today’s vote is difficult. I deeply believe that BRAC process, and we will have the aspects of the Pentagon’s analysis of Naval Air Station Brunswick should not be same arguments as we are having here Hanscom, and could disrupt key programs op- closed. Yet, when this process began, Maine today. erating there. I am deeply disappointed by the stood to loose everything, and now we have

VerDate Aug 31 2005 05:00 Oct 28, 2005 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00025 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\K27OC7.040 H27OCPT1 H9304 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE October 27, 2005 saved and expanded two of the three endan- $70 million. Members of the airlift wing have current BRAC round, though, is being used to gered facilities. The likely alternatives for the served more than 195,000 days just since 9/ implement operational policies and transfer State were far worse. Indeed, if this resolution 11 in support of homeland defense and the Mansfield’s C–130s from the Guard to the Ac- were to pass today and the BRAC process global war on terror. tive and Reserve Forces. Such complex were to be reopened from scratch, there More recently, the guardsmen of the 179th issues should not be handled within the BRAC would be no guarantee of saving Brunswick, have flown sorties to the gulf coast region, de- procedure. but Portsmouth could be closed and Lime- livering much-needed supplies and trans- porting hundreds of troops to assist those af- Although I strongly oppose the transfer of stone with its planned increase in jobs could Mansfield’s planes, I welcome the opportunity be lost. That is why I am going to vote against fected by Hurricane Katrina. Relief missions to work with the Department of Defense and the resolution to disapprove the BRAC list. such as this are nothing new for the men and As we approach the end of this very difficult women of the 179th, who have answered the State officials to obtain a new mission for BRAC round, it is important that we remain fo- call during past hurricane relief missions in Mansfield, should the BRAC recommendations cused on promoting the best interests of the Florida and other States, and have assisted be upheld. In just the last 8 years, more than entire State and that we continue to work as with vital defense operations in Iraq, Saudi $20 million has been invested in the 179th’s one Maine. I will do whatever I can to make Arabia, Afghanistan, Kosovo, and elsewhere. facilities at Mansfield Lahm. Thanks to the ef- sure that we build upon the successes of sav- I was disappointed, therefore, at the inclu- forts of Mansfield Mayor Lydia Reid and other ing Portsmouth and growing DFAS Limestone, sion of the 179th on the Pentagon’s proposed local officials, the city has made 163 acres ad- and that we make the best of a difficult situa- closure list in May. As I said in a letter to jacent to the airport available for Guard expan- tion by enabling the Brunswick community to President Bush last month in support of the sion or joint service activities. This significant build a bright future. 179th, the unit has always stood ready to ac- investment and possibility for expansion Ms. SCHWARTZ of Pennsylvania. Mr. cept any flying assignment, and represents a should make Mansfield an even more attrac- Chairman, the base realignment process is wealth of expertise and professionalism that tive site for locating a new air-based mission. designed to provide a more efficient and effec- Ohio and the Nation can ill afford to lose. Nonetheless, given Mansfield’s solid track Contrary to national trends, the 179th has tive military structure. But, BRAC 2005 failed record as a C–130 unit and its many contribu- consistently excelled in recruiting and reten- to meet these goals and that is why I will vote tions to our Nation and world, I oppose the tion, currently standing at 105 percent of as- against implementing the recommendations of transfer of its planes. At a time when our signed strength. Mansfield draws from a rich the Department of Defense and the Base Re- troops are already stressed by operational alignment Commission. recruiting base, boasting the best personnel strength figures of any Air National Guard C– tempos, and when our national recruiting and The base realignment recommendations fall retention rates are reaching record lows, I fear short because they eliminate military re- 130 unit. The men and women of the 179th any disruption to our well-equipped and well- sources and installations without producing are highly experienced, with an average of manned Guard units. Our planes are only as meaningful cost-savings. And, the base re- more than 12 years of service; Mansfield’s air- good as the people who maintain and fly alignment recommendations fall short because crews have an average of 16 years of military them, and our country cannot afford to lose they call for the closure of Naval Air Station aviation experience. In just the last few years, Joint Reserve Base Willow Grove, a military all Mansfield aircrew members have flown their skills. installation that plays a vital role in our Na- combat sorties in the Middle East and Asia, Mr. EVERETT. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in tion’s security. and have received 116 air medals for their opposition to H.J. Res. 65, a resolution dis- Mr. Chairman, at a time when we are fight- bravery, courage, and skill. approving the recommendations of the De- ing a global war on terror and facing new and In its final deliberations, the BRAC Commis- fense Base Realignment and Closure Com- very real threats, the Nation must be fully pre- sion found that closing Mansfield was ‘‘not mission. pared. This BRAC round does not live up to supportable’’ and recommended instead that a It is clear that we have too much military in- the original goals of the process and, there- ‘‘contiguous enclave’’ be established at Mans- frastructure in this country, whose operations field Lahm. The commission further acknowl- fore, it should be rejected. and maintenance compete for scarce re- Mr. OXLEY. Mr. Chairman, I stand in sup- edged that the Air Force did not adequately sources needed by our warfighter and mod- port of House Joint Resolution 65, dis- consult with governors and State adjutants ernization efforts. This BRAC process has be- approving the recommendations of the Base general with respect to its Air Guard rec- come the most effective way to rid the military Realignment and Closure Commission. ommendations. Had there been consultation, This will be my first vote against a BRAC better decisions could have been made about of installations that provide minimal military list, and it is not a vote I take lightly. I support Air Guard infrastructure in view of our national value. the BRAC process as a whole as a reason- defense and homeland security needs. I am pleased that the commission recog- able and apolitical method for evaluating our In short, the Air Force would have done well nized the importance of keeping the Oper- Nation’s defense infrastructure needs, and to follow the Army’s BRAC model, which stood ations and Sustainment Systems Group— recognize the necessity of this first BRAC as an example of good consultation among OSSG—at Maxwell-Gunter AFB in Mont- round in a decade. But while I salute the hard parties. When the Joint Systems Manufac- gomery, Alabama. After an extensive review, work of the BRAC Commission members in turing Center—located in Lima in my congres- the BRAC commissioners did not adopt the their deliberations and recognize the difficulty sional district—was placed on the BRAC list Department of Defense’s recommendation to of their task, this BRAC round took place in with a recommendation to reduce manufac- realign the OSSG and its 1,251 civilian and the context of flawed methodology as re- turing space by 27 percent, top Army officials military jobs from Maxwell-Gunter AFB to garded Air National Guard bases. working on the BRAC staff made themselves Hanscom AFB. It was my expectation that the Department available to meet with representatives of The BRAC decision was due in large part to of Defense would solicit input from all relevant JSMC and the community. The JSMC delega- the world-class combat operational support sources in evaluating our Air National Guard tion explained that such a reduction would im- provided by the OSSG to Air Force bases and requirements—most importantly, the adjutant pede operations at the plant, resulting in a general of each State. But at no time in the higher cost to the government for the weapons DOD agencies around the world from Mont- Pentagon’s development of its Air Force systems the plant produces. As a result of gomery for more than 30 years. It did not BRAC recommendations did it ask the Adju- these discussions, the BRAC staff rec- need to be moved in order to continue to per- tant General of Ohio or any of the other 53 ommended that the commission remove the form this critical national security mission. The adjutants general for input. I find this shocking, JSMC proposal from its final list, which it did. OSSG is the only organization with experience considering that the Army consulted the adju- The Army’s deliberations on JSMC were an fielding systems across the entire Air Force tants general when crafting its recommenda- ideal example of how the BRAC process and DOD. Moreover, Gunter is home to one of tions—and considering that 37 of the 42 Air works well: when information is shared and all four major Defense Information Systems Force BRAC proposals involved Air National relevant parties are consulted. Agency—DISA—nodes, which provide the Guard units. Even with the commission’s decision to re- backbone on which Air Force Systems run. For the past 24 years, I have had the privi- verse the JSMC proposal—and even with the The DISA presence, along with the OSSG, en- lege of representing the guardsmen of one of partial reversal of the Mansfield decision and ables testing of enterprise-wide combat sup- those units: the 179th Airlift Wing of the Ohio the encouraging possibilities for obtaining a port software applications in an operational Air National Guard, located at Mansfield Lahm new mission for the more than 1,000 guards- environment. With its extensive background, Airport. The 179th has been a vital part of men of the 179th—I will vote for this resolution experience, and expertise, this organization is Mansfield and Richland County since 1948, of disapproval. By statute, the purpose of truly a one of a kind national resource and be- with an annual economic impact of roughly BRAC is to reduce excess infrastructure. The longs in Montgomery.

VerDate Aug 31 2005 05:00 Oct 28, 2005 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00026 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A27OC7.036 H27OCPT1 October 27, 2005 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H9305 While I intend to vote for the implementation Test Directorate was moved from Edwards sisted the Commission in making its final rec- of the commission’s recommendations, I re- AFB to Fort Rucker as well. I believe the argu- ommendations.’’ main very troubled by some of the things the ments presented then still have substantial The commission also criticized DOD for fail- commission did not do. Specifically, I have merit today. ing to provide necessary source data on its trouble seeing the logic in overturning DOD’s At Fort Rucker, the ATTC is able to have proposals for as long as a month after the recommendation to move the Aviation Logis- their fleet of approximately 40 test aircraft DOD list was submitted. This delay hampered tics School to Fort Rucker. I am disappointed maintained by the large maintenance and lo- the ability of the commission to do proper that the commission failed to see the signifi- gistics operation that supports the training mis- analysis and hamstrung communities trying to cance of co-locating the Aviation Logistics sion on post. A move to Redstone disregards defend their bases. School with the aviation pilot training under these significant costs of keeping the test fleet My view has been validated by the Over- one roof at Fort Rucker. This move would flying. The vast pool of pilots and aircraft from seas Basing Commission, which found that have consolidated Army Aviation training and the Aviation Center also facilitates the ATTC’s the ‘‘massive realignment of forces requires doctrine development at Fort Rucker. I still ability to realize a greater return on the testing that the pace of events be slowed and reor- hold the belief that consolidating aviation logis- dollar invested. tics training with the Aviation Center and Another problem with this recommendation dered.’’ It faulted the administration’s plans to School will foster consistency, standardization, revolves around airspace. As the home of bring 70,000 troops home from overseas with- and training proficiency. As the premier rotary Army Aviation, Fort Rucker is blessed with out a full analysis of the infrastructure to ac- wing aviation training center in the United over 32,000 square miles of airspace to con- commodate them. States, this move would have completed the duct its mission. This irreplaceable natural My view has been validated by a recent rev- formation of the Army’s decision to create an asset cannot be duplicated in Huntsville. A po- elation by BRAC Commissioner Phillip Coyle aviation branch in 1983. The benefit of being tential move also undermines the synergies that information gathered to support some of able to train the entire flight crew, from the that currently exist between the schoolhouse DOD’s BRAC recommendations were based maintainers to the pilots, is quite significant. A and the experimental pilots. Finally, with Fort largely on Google searches. The commission flight crew who must go to war as a team, Rucker being the Army proponent for un- observed that several DOD plans to consoli- should train as a team. manned aerial vehicles—UAVs, it is crucial date multiple military facilities were based not A second notable absence from the BRAC that the ATTC be able to leverage the exper- on in-depth analytic work but on Internet recommendations is consolidation of rotary tise associated with this proponency to con- search engine queries used only to match fa- wing pilot training at Fort Rucker. Although duct its tests on UAVs. cility names and functions. DOD did not make this recommendation, I be- While I do not agree with all of the rec- Lastly, my view has been validated by the lieve a thorough review of the facts would ommendations included in the commission’s questions my constituents repeatedly asked have led the commission to include this in its report, I do recognize that the BRAC process me: final list. Currently, both the Army and Air must go forward. At present, DOD has excess Why are we closing military installations Force conduct their rotary wing pilot training at infrastructure which needs to be realigned or when we are at war? Fort Rucker, which has sufficient capability to closed in order to achieve the billions of sav- Why are we building new bases in Iraq support Navy initial rotary wing pilot training as ings which will result from the implementation while closing them in America? well. of these recommendations. As costs of weap- Numerous reviews conducted by DOD and ons systems crucial to winning the war on ter- Will our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan have the GAD dating back to 1974 have been made ror continue to rise, it is important that we ex- the right facilities to come home to? regarding the relocation of this Navy mission. plore all avenues in order to find the money I don’t have good answers to those ques- In addition, when Colin Powell was chairman necessary to give the warfighter everything he tions, but neither does the Pentagon. of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, he testified before or she needs to complete their mission. In By pushing BRAC at the wrong time, our the House Armed Services Committee that he conclusion, I would like to thank all of the Nation risks losing key assets that can never supported this consolidation at Fort Rucker. commissioners and their staffs for their tireless be reconstituted. We jeopardize our security if Similarly, the overwhelming majority of the re- efforts on one of the most thankless jobs in we close infrastructure before we first come to views have called for the Navy to move their government. I urge a no vote on the resolution consensus on an overall defense and home- operation to Fort Rucker for a number of rea- and yield back the balance of my time. land security strategy. sons. Past studies have indicated that tens of Mr. ALLEN. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support The BRAC Commission’s decision to re- millions of dollars per year could be saved by of H.J. Res. 65, to disapprove the rec- move several major bases from DOD’s list going through with this consolidation. Unit ommendations of the Base Realignment and demonstrates that the Pentagon put the cart costs would be reduced for both aircraft main- Closure Commission—BRAC. before the horse. For example, the commis- tenance and logistics. Additionally, both the Closing surplus military infrastructure makes sion voted to keep open the submarine base Army and the Navy use the same training heli- sense, but only if it is done in a proper stra- at New London, CT, and the Portsmouth copter which would allow for further savings tegic context and through a rational, delibera- Naval Shipyard, in my district. The commis- by using the Army’s existing instructor pilots. tive, and fair process. The 2005 base closure sion expressed serious doubts about DOD’s This consolidation will also advance a key round does not meet these tests. force structure plan and the submarine force’s component of DoD’s way ahead, jointness. Secretary of Defense Rumsfeld proposed ability to confront uncertain future threats. Finally, I was troubled to see that the com- this BRAC in 2001, before September 11 and mission supported the DOD recommendation our occupation of Afghanistan and Iraq. The In addition, I object to this BRAC list due to to move the Aviation Technical Test Center— world changed, but the Defense Department’s the inexplicable and unwise closure of the ATTC—to Redstone Arsenal. This issue is BRAC process did not. Brunswick Naval Air Station—NASB. This fa- very close to me personally as I have been in- I voted against this BRAC in 2001, on the cility is the last remaining fully operational mili- timately involved with it for over 10 years. In grounds that it presumptively put infrastructure tary airfield in the northeast. Its loss will ham- the mid–90s, there was an effort made within decisions before force structure decisions. At per our capability to perform homeland de- the Pentagon to move the ATTC out of Fort the time, I said that with ‘‘uncertainty about fense and maritime patrol missions in the re- Rucker. As is the case now, I was very dis- our future military needs in the new security gion, leaving a vulnerable flank for the entire turbed by this, and began to investigate in an environment, I believe that this is not the right Nation. effort to determine if this would be best for the time to add a new layer of uncertainty to our NASB was the only major base closed by Army, highlighted by a personal meeting with military communities in Maine by approving a the commission that was not recommended the then-Secretary of the Army, Togo West. new base closure round.’’ for closure by DOD. I believe the commission This culminated when my amendment was in- My view has been validated by the state- failed to adequately justify its decision that the cluded in the House version of Fiscal Year ments of the Base Realignment and Closure base was ‘‘not needed.’’ The commission 1996 National Defense Authorization Act— Commission itself. In its final report, the com- completely ignored the combined military H.R. 1530—which blocked the Army’s pro- mission faulted the Department of Defense— value judgment of combatant commanders posal to relocate the ATTC until an outside DOD—for making infrastructure decisions prior that Brunswick is a vital strategic asset. It independent study of the proposal could be to conducting a ‘‘comprehensive review of the failed to explain how, or at what monetary or completed. After the Army reviewed this fur- underlying strategic issues that is to be set mission cost, the military could perform essen- ther, not only did the ATTC stay at Fort forth in the [2006] Quadrennial Defense Re- tial maritime patrol missions in the northeast Rucker, but the Airworthiness Qualification view [which] may have better informed and as- without Brunswick.

VerDate Aug 31 2005 05:00 Oct 28, 2005 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00027 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A27OC7.039 H27OCPT1 H9306 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE October 27, 2005 In closing NASB, the commission appeared In October of 2003, I went to Iraq and The BRAC Commission had even less time to deviate from its own charter. It justified clos- learned that the troops desperately needed than the Pentagon, but was ultimately able to ing the base merely in order to ‘‘reduce ex- armor on their vehicles. In November of 2003 fix the largest mistakes. Chairman Anthony cess capacity and result in significant sav- the Secretary of the Army said that getting Principi’s commission took New London and ings,’’ despite its own directive to seek a bal- armor into the field was a ‘‘top priority’’. And other bases off of the list after looking at the ance between the goals of realizing savings yet today there are still tens of thousands of big picture. They looked at the overall effects and rationalizing our military infrastructure to vehicles that are still not armored. on the Nation and the individual services. meet the needs of future missions. Just last week the Armed Services Com- They listened to the arguments of outside ex- I was pleased that the commission listened mittee held a hearing on the issue. Chairman perts. They considered the advice of key de- to the arguments put forth to them and voted Hunter discovered that the Army was sitting fense industry partners, senior retired officers, to reject the closure of two facilities in Maine: on hundreds of armored humvees in Texas Members of Congress, and even a former the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard and the De- and Kuwait. Mr. Speaker, I wonder if Con- U.S. president. In the end the BRAC Commis- fense Finance and Accounting Service in gress would have unearthed this hidden prob- sion gave the President and Congress a good Limestone, where the commission also agreed lem earlier had it not been faced with the time- product given the circumstances. to double the number of jobs. Despite these consuming BRAC process. So, Mr. Chairman, I will vote no on the reso- positive outcomes, however, the unjustified I opposed BRAC because we need to re- lution because the BRAC solution before us is closure of Brunswick affirms my opposition to capitalize our aging defense platforms and our the best of a bad situation. It would have been this BRAC list, as well as the underlying fact shrinking fleets. Our Armed Forces have been better never to have attempted this round of that this was the wrong time in our Nation’s on a strict diet because of a procurement holi- base closures. Our military is no better for it, history for this BRAC. day that has been in effect since the end of and our Nation is no safer. Nevertheless, a The fundamental purpose of BRAC is to the Cold war. vote for yes is a vote for another, painful and save money. Let’s put its ‘‘savings’’ in per- Mr. Chairman, the average age of an Air counterproductive BRAC round that will drain spective. The 20-year savings (approximately Force bombers is over 30 years old. The aver- resources and time from the critical tasks at $800 million) from the closure of Brunswick age pilot is younger than his aircraft. Yet there hand. Naval Air Station is the equivalent to half a are planned procurement cuts to the F–22 Mr. Chairman, our Nation faces great na- week of operations in Iraq. The entire pro- program. We have been living on the Reagan tional security challenges right now. For this jected 20-year savings from the BRAC list— buildup of the 1980s, but those systems are reason, I will vote to put BRAC behind us $36 billion—are exhausted by just 6 months in all nearing retirement. What’s left from the 80s today and for the foreseeable future. Iraq. The entire savings is also merely half is old and undependable. This threatens our Mrs. CAPPS. Mr. Chairman, I rise in reluc- military readiness and the safety of our service that of the President’s proposed tax cuts this tant support of the resolution to reject the rec- members. year—$70 billion, and minuscule compared to ommendations of the Base Closure and Re- Mr. Chairman, this year the Navy planned the $4 trillion in Federal revenue losses from alignment Commission. on building only four ships—the same as Can- I support the BRAC process and believe upper-income tax breaks passed since 2001. ada and less than most of our European al- The BRAC process is also a huge unfunded that over the years it has led to the orderly re- lies. If we stay on this track, our fleet will mandate on communities. I commend my con- organization of our Nation’s defense infrastruc- shrink from a little under 300 to just 120. gressional colleagues from Maine and New ture. China is on no such diet. Its shipbuilding rates Hampshire, Governors John Baldacci and I believe the Pentagon and the BRAC Com- are so high that its fleet win overtake ours by John Lynch, the employees, unions, manage- mission made a good-faith effort to carefully about 2015. By that time, China will have ment, local government officials, task force examine every base. twice as many submarines as the U.S. Nonetheless, I continue to believe the Com- members and volunteers for the long hours I also opposed BRAC because our strategic devoted to defending Maine’s defense facili- mission made a terribly shortsighted decision environment remains in flux. The threats from when it voted to uphold some of the Penta- ties. While it was a worthy cause, I regret that North Korea, China and Iran are rising while we were forced to spend so much time on gon’s recommendations for Naval Base Ven- we are still engaged in Iraq and Afghanistan. tura County. BRAC, rather than on new initiatives to im- We benefited from neither the Quadrennial prove our communities. The lost human pro- I am particularly disappointed the Commis- Defense Review nor the report of the Over- sion voted to move some of the RDT&E mis- ductivity caused by BRAC, not only for com- seas Basing Commission because they were munities but on DOD personnel as well, is sions away from the base. not yet delivered. How could we know, what In my view, the Commission ignored a num- something we must calculate if we ever de- our Nation’s future basing requirements will ber of important factors. bate a future BRAC round. be? We couldn’t! First, the Commission’s vote went against Again, I urge passage of H.J. Res. 65 to re- I opposed BRAC because DOD still main- the recommendation of its professional staff. ject this BRAC list. In a time of uncertainty, we tained dozens of bases that were slated for The staff correctly recognized that Naval risk losing national assets we can never re- closure that remain open. How could we target Base Ventura County has significant military cover. another 100 bases when we had a hundred value, and its missions contribute to the readi- Mr. SIMMONS. Mr. Chairman, I stand in op- waiting on death row? Closing bases costs bil- ness of our war fighter. position today to H.J. Res. 65, a resolution to lions of dollars in environmental clean up Second, relocating the vital functions per- disapprove the recommendations of the De- costs. The Department of Defense cannot dis- formed by the personnel at the base will have fense Base Closure and Realignment Com- pose of this property until it is clean. But the lasting consequences for our national security. mission. I oppose this resolution not because investment of these ‘‘clean-up’’ dollars takes The activities conducted at this site for the I support this BRAC round and the closure dollars away from our troops in the field during Navy, Air Force, Missile Defense Agency, and and realignment of these bases, but because war. others cannot be replicated anywhere else in the Department of Defense should not be au- I opposed this BRAC round because we the Nation. thorized to execute another one anytime soon. have hundreds of thousands of troops in the Moreover, the base’s sea range is linked A no vote on this resolution will spare the Middle East, Europe and Korea that will hope- with other inland ranges in California—pro- Armed Forces, our defense budget and our fully return home soon. viding an unmatched capability to the Defense base communities the unnecessary stress of Congress authorized the BRAC round any- Department. another BRAC round if the current rec- way. The Department of Defense relatively lit- The realignment will diminish these existing ommendations are approved. tle time to develop a set of recommendations operational capabilities and efficiencies and I opposed this BRAC round from the start for the President. Not surprisingly, some mis- negatively impact the ability of our fighting for several reasons. takes were made. The biggest mistake was men and women to get their jobs done. First and foremost, Mr. Chairman, were— the recommendation to close Naval Sub- The effect of this would be immediately felt and remain—a nation at war. We have troops marine Base New London, the world’s great- in Iraq and Afghanistan. abroad fighting in Iraq, Afghanistan and glob- est center of excellence for undersea warfare. Finally, realigning the base’s missions will ally as part of a broader war on terrorism. I ar- My good friend, the Ranking Member of the waste, not save, taxpayer dollars. gued that we need to focus all of our energy Armed Services Committee, IKE SKELTON, We cannot afford to spend a lot of money on supporting those troops in the field. We noted that the BRAC round so suffered from to move missions and personnel when there’s should not be distracted with the complicated secondary agendas designed to achieve policy no long-term savings involved. burden of realigning our whole military base outcomes under cover of base closure and re- Especially now that we’re looking at spend- structure. alignment. I agree with him. ing more than $200 billion to help rebuild the

VerDate Aug 31 2005 05:00 Oct 28, 2005 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00028 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A27OC7.042 H27OCPT1 October 27, 2005 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H9307 Gulf Coast areas devastated by Hurricanes if the House today fails to adopt my col- Weapons Center Indian Head and Naval Air Katrina and Rita. league’s bill to disapprove the BRAC rec- Weapons Station China Lake. The language Mr. Chairman, the BRAC process must be ommendations. included in the Commission’s recommenda- logical and fair. I do not believe this round of tion for Tech–19 does not intend to consoli- Mr. FRELINGHUSEN. Mr. Chairman, I rise date these activities in anyone location, nor closures met those criteria. in strong opposition to House Joint Resolution is it the Commission’s intent to create a sep- I continue to strongly believe the missions at 65—a resolution disapproving the rec- arate ‘‘Center of Excellence’’ for energetics. Naval Base Ventura County are a critical ele- ommendations of the Base Realignment and Picatinny Arsenal will become the DoD ment of our national security system and an Closure Commission as approved by the Gun and Ammunition ‘‘Center of Excellence’’ important asset to our local community. President of the United States. as described in the Dodd Tech–19 rec- I urge my colleagues to join me in sup- In total, the BRAC Commission rec- ommendation and as modified by our rec- porting the resolution of disapproval. ommendations. ommended, and the President endorsed, the Sincerely, Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support closure of 22 major military bases and the re- of the bill before us to reject the BRAC rec- ANTHONY J. PRINCIPI, alignment of 33 others. ommendations; and I thank the gentleman Chairman. While I am deeply concerned about the rec- from Illinois for his work on this bill. Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Mr. Chairman, While this process has proceeded during a ommendation to close the Army’s Fort Mon- I rise today in support of H.J. Res. 65, a reso- global war, many of us in Congress—including mouth, I note with pride the strong vote of lution of disapproval of the 2005 base closure me—have taken issue with the timing. Doing confidence in the past, present, and future and realignment recommendations. this during a war and before we establish our contributions to our warfighters of Picatinny I am proud that my state delegation—com- global military footprint through the Quadren- Arsenal in Morris County, New Jersey. monly referred to back home as ‘‘Team Con- nial Defense Review sends the wrong signal With the support of the President, the De- necticut’’—was successful in saving Sub Base to our allies and to the soldiers and families partment of Defense and the BRAC Commis- New London from closure. Together our con- who may depend on services at the bases we sion, Picatinny Arsenal will be the ’joint center gressional delegation, Governor Rell, mem- are closing. of excellence’ for guns and ammunition and bers of the New London community and mili- I have fought this from the get-go. The the military’s unparalleled leader for producing tary experts put together an airtight case for BRAC list hit my South Texas district hard the latest and most advanced weaponry for the survival of the base. As a result, the com- with the closure of Naval Station Ingleside in our warfighters in Iraq and Afghanistan. mission realized what Connecticut knew all San Patricio County. It was a base into which I strongly support this recommendation. It is along: That Sub Base New London is not only the taxpayers of Nueces County and the State well-founded on the facts and advances the a critical asset to our State, but a vital part of of Texas plowed $50 million to assist the Navy DoD’s ‘‘transformation.’’ our current and future national security. in bringing the base there. Picatinny Arsenal is already home to: the The members of the 2005 BRAC Commis- The main thing that worries those of us in ‘‘Single Manager for Conventional Ammunition sion were given an extraordinary responsibility South Texas—and elsewhere along the Gulf for DoD’’—PEO Ampmo; an armament engi- and performed their duties in a thoughtful and Coast—is that after BRAC the Gulf of Mexico neering organization which provides fully inte- responsible manner. However, they were will be a less safe place for all of us. We have grated life cycle systems engineering for given the job of examining a flawed proposal been concerned over the past couple of years weapons and munitions; and 70 unique mis- based more on achieving the bottom line then about the illegal immigrants known as OTMs— sion facilities with 16 state-of-the-art labora- ensuring the security of our Nation. If passed, other than Mexicans—that are routinely re- tories staffed by an adaptable, highly special- H.J. Res. 65 would put an end to the current leased by law enforcement into the U.S. popu- ized workforce; BRAC process—one that I have long believed lation. Many law enforcement officers believe The DoD BRAC analysis found Picatinny to to be the wrong process at the wrong time for we have—or could be—releasing potential ter- be the ‘‘center-of-mass’’ for DoD’s guns and our Nation. rorists who will do us great harm. ammunition (research, development and ac- Since 2002, I have voted in the Armed Our nation’s refining capability and trading quisition.) It has a workload in this area more Services Committee and on the floor to either lanes run through the Gulf of Mexico. For than an order of magnitude greater than any repeal or delay BRAC 2005 because I have these reasons—and many more—we must other DoD facility. It has the greatest con- felt all along that the process had serious have a Navy presence in the Gulf. After centration of military value in guns and ammu- flaws. With 150,000 of our men and women in BRAC, there will not be a single surface Navy nition (research, development and acquisition.) uniform serving overseas in the Middle East, base in the entire Gulf. The Gulf holds the na- Mr. Chairman, this BRAC Commission rec- continued operations in Iraq and Afghanistan tion’s bread basket and is the primary provider ommendation is transformational. It builds on and failures to meet recruiting goals, now is of petrochemicals and refined products to the joint single manager for conventional not the time to close or realign major portions power the nation’s cars, heaters, and other ammo to create a robust guns and ammuni- of our military infrastructure. We should not be machines we depend upon hourly in our daily tion ‘‘joint center.’’ It will provide for greater closing and consolidating bases and infra- lives. synergy and more efficient operations, all to structure here in the States now, when in an- Those are my primary concerns. Now, the benefit the warfighter—the young men and other two years we may be bringing a signifi- other concerns I have deal primarily with how women who are protecting us at home and cant amount of troops and equipment back the South Texas community I represent will re- overseas. . from Europe and other forward deployed loca- cover from the economic devastation that is Mr. Chairman, I ask unanimous consent to tions and we would have to spend more part of a base closure in local communities. enter into the RECORD important correspond- money again to reopen or recreate space for As BRAC Chairman Principi said in an early ence between the Chairman of the Base Re- them. We should not be closing or realigning statement, this will be a tsunami in South alignment and Closure Commission, the Hon- before the completion of the Quadrennial De- Texas. orable Anthony Principi, and the Honorable fense Review (QDR), which projects the So if the House chooses to support the Michael W. Wynne, Chairman of the Infra- threats our nation will face and guides our BRAC list today, we will bear no ill will . . . structure Steering Committee of the U.S. De- force structure for the next two decades. The and we will work very hard to make the transi- partment of Defense. Commission simply and rightly called con- tion as painless as possible. I urge defeat of the resolution. ducting BRAC before the completion of the While our community is less concerned QDR ‘‘inverse’’ and ‘‘illogical.’’ This is simply DEFENSE BASE CLOSURE about the disposition of the property itself—it AND REALIGNMENT COMMISSION, the wrong time for BRAC. should revert to the local port—we believe the Arlington, VA, September 8, 2005. The final report before us for consideration local community should not have to pay a Hon. MICHAEL W. WYNNE, includes a wide-ranging realignment of the Air $200 million cost to retain the base. We are Chairman, Infrastructure Steering Group, De- National Guard that was completed without increasingly concerned about the enormous fense Pentagon, Washington, DC. the input or consultation of our State Gov- task before us in the coming years: how to DEAR SECRETARY WYNNE: I am sending this ernors and Adjutants General. Rather than deal with depressed property values after the letter for clarification of language contained conducting an inclusive process—as in the base is to close . . . how to retrain the area in BRAC amendments 186–4a and 186–4d con- case of the Army National Guard rec- cerning DoD Tech–19, Create an Integrated workforce . . . and how our schools and Weapons & Armaments Specialty Site for ommendations—the Pentagon chose to craft housing market can recoup the losses we will Guns and Ammunition. their Air Force proposal by shutting out the most certainly feel in the coming years. The purpose of amendments 186–4a and 186– very people that both the law and common That will be the challenge before us in 4d was to leave existing energetics activities sense dictate need to be included in changes South Texas for probably the coming decade in place at Picatinny Arsenal, Naval Surface to State Guard units.

VerDate Aug 31 2005 05:00 Oct 28, 2005 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00029 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A27OC7.028 H27OCPT1 H9308 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE October 27, 2005 As a result the final Air Force recommenda- had until October 30, 2005 to pass a joint res- RECORDED VOTE tions disproportionately impact the Air National olution of disapproval of the list. Mr. LAHOOD. Mr. Speaker, I demand Guard, with 37 of the final 42 Air Force rec- Unfortunately, this round of base closings a recorded vote. ommendations making changes to Air Guard and realignments has failed to accomplish the A recorded vote was ordered. units in States across the Nation. Governors military goals of shedding excess operations The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- and Adjutants General widely opposed this and facilities without seriously weakening our ant to clause 8 of rule XX, this 15- plan, citing the impact on recruiting and reten- national security and homeland defense. I minute vote on H.J. Res. 65 will be fol- tion of Guard members, lack of consultation, strongly oppose the president’s recommenda- lowed by 5-minute votes on motions to and reduced availability of personnel for vital tions to close Ft. Gillem and Fort McPherson, suspend the rules on H.R. 3945 and H. State emergency response and homeland se- and I have tried to make a strong case in their Res 368. curity functions. Although the Commission ulti- defense at every opportunity available to me, The vote was taken by electronic de- mately approved a scaled down version of the including directly addressing members of the vice, and there were—ayes 85, noes 324, Pentagon’s Air National Guard plan crafted in BRAC Commission and urging President Bush answered ‘‘present’’ 1, not voting 23, as the final days of their work, the final BRAC re- to consider their unmatched military value and follows: unique strategic readiness for homeland de- port states that the lack of coordination be- [Roll No. 548] fense. tween the Pentagon, Governors and Adjutants AYES—85 General ‘‘unnecessarily cost the Commission My efforts to remove Forts Gillem and Abercrombie Fattah Mollohan additional time and resources and damaged McPherson from the BRAC list of closings proved partly successful since I secured the Akin Fitzpatrick (PA) Moore (WI) the previously exemplary relationship between Allen Forbes Moran (VA) the Air National Guard and the Air Force.’’ extension of six Federal functions at an en- Andrews Ford Murtha clave at Ft. Gillem, blocking a complete clos- Barrow Gallegly Nussle This misguided recommendation hits home Brady (PA) Gerlach in my district and State, where the 103rd ing of the military base. These functions in- Ortiz clude the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Brown (OH) Gingrey Oxley Fighter Wing at Bradley Air National Guard Brown (SC) Gordon Pallone Laboratory, Georgia Army National Guard, 3rd Brown, Corrine Green, Al base is slated to lose their A–10 Warthogs— Pascrell Capps Green, Gene leaving Connecticut as the only State in the MEDCOM, SE Army Reserve Intelligence Paul Center, FEMA, and Red Cross. Cardoza Hinojosa Nation without an air national guard flying mis- Carnahan Hobson Pickering I am very disappointed by the outcome of Poe sion. In presenting our case to the Commis- Clay Holt today’s vote and that Ft. Gillem and Ft. Rothman sion, our message was simple: The Pentagon Cooper Hostettler McPherson remained on the BRAC list for clo- Crowley Hulshof Rush not only used flawed data that did not take Schakowsky sure despite the vital role they continue to play Davis (IL) Jackson (IL) into account many of the unique capabilities of Davis, Jo Ann Jenkins Schwartz (PA) in coordinating the deployment of troops Bradley, but failed to consult our Governor in Davis, Tom Jindal Scott (GA) abroad and Federal response to national dis- DeGette Johnson (IL) Scott (VA) major changes to our State’s militia. While Ad- asters like this year’s string of devastating hur- Delahunt Johnson, E. B. Sherman jutant General Thaddeus Martin, the staff of DeLauro LaHood Smith (NJ) ricanes. Following today’s vote, the Defense DeLay Larson (CT) the 103rd and the State delegation made a Department is now charged with carrying out Stupak strong case for Bradley, the base was unfortu- Dent Leach Taylor (MS) the recommended closures and realignments. Doolittle Lewis (GA) nately included in the final realignment plan. Udall (NM) Therefore, I will work with defense officials Drake Lynch Watson The men and women of the ‘‘Flying Yankees,’’ Edwards Manzullo Weller and the Local Redevelopment Authority during Emanuel and indeed all the members of the Air National McCaul (TX) Wicker the upcoming transition period for Forts Gillem Emerson Menendez Wilson (NM) Guard, deserve better than an ad-hoc trans- and McPherson. Evans Miller (FL) formation plan that has the potential to seri- Mr. HEFLEY. Mr. Chairman, I yield NOES—324 ously impact the future of these citizen sol- back the balance of my time. diers and their mission. Ackerman Capuano Fossella The Acting CHAIRMAN. All time for Aderholt Cardin Foxx In late August 2005, I joined Connecticut debate has expired. Alexander Carson Frank (MA) Governor Rell, Attorney General Blumenthal The text of the joint resolution is as Baca Carter Franks (AZ) and Senators DODD and LIEBERMAN in filing follows: Bachus Case Frelinghuysen suit to prevent the realignment of the Bradley Baird Castle Garrett (NJ) H.J. RES. 65 Baker Chabot Gibbons Air National Guard base. We were forced to Resolved by the Senate and House of Rep- Baldwin Chandler Gilchrest take this action because the law is simple and resentatives of the United States of America in Barrett (SC) Chocola Gillmor clear: the Bradley A–10s cannot be removed Congress assembled, That Congress dis- Bartlett (MD) Cleaver Gonzalez without the consent of our Governor. Regard- approves the recommendations of the De- Barton (TX) Clyburn Goode fense Base Closure and Realignment Com- Bass Coble Goodlatte less of the result of today’s vote, Connecticut Bean Cole (OK) Granger mission as submitted by the President on has the law on its side and I am confident that Beauprez Conaway Graves September 15, 2005. we will secure the future of the ‘‘Flying Becerra Conyers Green (WI) The Acting CHAIRMAN. Pursuant to Berkley Costa Grijalva Yankees.’’ section 2908(d) of Public Law 101–510, Berman Costello Gutierrez One of our most important duties is to pro- Berry Cramer Gutknecht vide for the defense of our Nation. We should the Committee rises. Biggert Crenshaw Harman not be closing and realigning our bases at a b 1245 Bilirakis Cubin Hart Bishop (GA) Culberson Hastings (WA) time when our nation is engaged in the Middle Accordingly, the Committee rose; Bishop (NY) Cummings Hayes East and faces unprecedented threats from and the Speaker pro tempore (Mr. Bishop (UT) Davis (AL) Hayworth abroad. Rejecting BRAC 2005 is simply the Blackburn Davis (CA) Hefley SIMPSON) having assumed the chair, Blumenauer Davis (FL) Hensarling right thing to do for our men and women in Mr. BISHOP of Utah, Acting Chairman Blunt Davis (KY) Herger uniform, the security of our nation, and for the of the Committee of the Whole House Boehlert Davis (TN) Herseth future of our Air National Guard. I urge my col- on the State of the Union, reported Boehner Deal (GA) Higgins leagues to support H.J. Res. 65. Bonilla DeFazio Hinchey that that Committee, having had under Bonner Dicks Hoekstra Mr. SCOTT of Georgia. Mr. Chairman, I ap- consideration the resolution (H.J. Res. Bono Dingell Holden preciate the opportunity to discuss this impor- 65) disapproving the recommendations Boozman Doggett Honda tant’ legislation as I make a final push to keep of the Defense Base Closure and Re- Boren Doyle Hooley Forts Gillem and McPherson open by voting in Boucher Dreier Hoyer alignment Commission, pursuant to Boustany Duncan Hunter support of a joint House resolution to reject section 2908(d) of Public Law 101–510, he Boyd Ehlers Hyde the president’s approval of the 2005 round of reported the joint resolution back to Bradley (NH) Engel Inglis (SC) base realignments and closures. I cospon- Brady (TX) English (PA) Inslee the House. Burgess Eshoo Israel sored the measure, H.J. Res. 65, which dis- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- Burton (IN) Etheridge Issa approves the recommendations of the De- ant to section 2908(d) of Public Law Butterfield Everett Istook fense Base Realignment and Closure Com- 101–510, the question is on the passage Buyer Farr Jackson-Lee mission (BRAC) as submitted by the president Calvert Feeney (TX) of the joint resolution. Camp Ferguson Jefferson to Congress on September 15, 2005. I am dis- The question was taken; and the Cannon Filner Johnson (CT) appointed that H.J. Res. 65 failed to pass the Speaker pro tempore announced that Cantor Flake Johnson, Sam House today by a vote of 85–324. Congress the noes appeared to have it. Capito Fortenberry Jones (NC)

VerDate Aug 31 2005 05:00 Oct 28, 2005 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00030 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A27OC7.033 H27OCPT1 October 27, 2005 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H9309 Jones (OH) Miller (MI) Schiff The result of the vote was announced Herger McGovern Ryan (OH) Kanjorski Miller (NC) Schmidt as above recorded. Herseth McHenry Ryan (WI) Kaptur Miller, Gary Schwarz (MI) Higgins McHugh Ryun (KS) Keller Miller, George Serrano Stated against: Hinchey McIntyre Sabo Kelly Moore (KS) Sessions Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, Hinojosa McKeon Salazar Kennedy (MN) Moran (KS) Shadegg on rollcall No. 548, I was off the floor meeting Hobson McKinney Sa´ nchez, Linda Kennedy (RI) Murphy Shays with consitutents and unfortunately missed the Hoekstra McMorris T. Kildee Musgrave Sherwood Holden McNulty Sanchez, Loretta Kilpatrick (MI) Myrick Shimkus above listed rollcall vote. Had I been present Holt Meehan Sanders Kind Nadler Shuster I would have voted ‘‘no.’’ Honda Meek (FL) Saxton King (IA) Napolitano Simpson Hooley Meeks (NY) Schakowsky King (NY) Neal (MA) Mr. BROWN of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, during Skelton Hostettler Melancon Kingston Neugebauer rollcall vote No. 548 on H.R. 65, I mistakenly Schiff Slaughter Hoyer Menendez Kirk Ney Schmidt Smith (TX) recorded my vote as ‘‘yes’’ when I should Hulshof Mica Kline Northup Schwartz (PA) Smith (WA) have voted ‘‘no.’’ Hunter Michaud Schwarz (MI) Knollenberg Norwood Snyder Hyde Millender- Scott (GA) Kolbe Nunes Sodrel f Inglis (SC) McDonald Scott (VA) Kucinich Oberstar Solis Inslee Miller (FL) Serrano Kuhl (NY) Olver Souder HURRICANE KATRINA FINANCIAL Israel Miller (MI) Sessions Langevin Osborne Spratt Lantos Otter Issa Miller (NC) Stark SERVICES RELIEF ACT OF 2005 Shadegg Larsen (WA) Owens Istook Miller, Gary Stearns Shays Latham Pastor The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Jackson (IL) Miller, George Strickland Sherman LaTourette Pearce Jackson-Lee Mollohan Sullivan SIMPSON). The unfinished business is Sherwood Lee Pelosi (TX) Moore (KS) Sweeney the question of suspending the rules Shimkus Levin Pence Jefferson Moore (WI) Tancredo Shuster Lewis (CA) Peterson (MN) and passing the bill, H.R. 3945, as Jenkins Moran (KS) Tanner Simpson Lewis (KY) Peterson (PA) amended. Jindal Moran (VA) Taylor (NC) Skelton Linder Petri Terry The Clerk read the title of the bill. Johnson (CT) Murphy Slaughter Lipinski Pitts Thomas The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Johnson (IL) Murtha Smith (NJ) LoBiondo Platts Johnson, E. B. Musgrave Lofgren, Zoe Pombo Thompson (MS) question is on the motion offered by Smith (TX) Thornberry Johnson, Sam Myrick Smith (WA) Lowey Pomeroy the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Jones (NC) Tiahrt Nadler Snyder Lucas Porter Jones (OH) Napolitano Tiberi BAKER) that the House suspend the Sodrel Lungren, Daniel Price (GA) Kanjorski Neal (MA) Tierney rules and pass the bill, H.R. 3945, as Solis E. Price (NC) Kaptur Neugebauer Maloney Pryce (OH) Towns Souder amended, on which the yeas and nays Keller Ney Marchant Putnam Turner Spratt are ordered. Kelly Northup Markey Radanovich Udall (CO) Stark This will be a 5-minute vote. Kennedy (MN) Norwood Marshall Rahall Upton Stearns Kennedy (RI) Nunes Matheson Ramstad Van Hollen The vote was taken by electronic de- Strickland Vela´ zquez Kildee Nussle Matsui Regula vice, and there were—yeas 411, nays 0, Stupak Visclosky Kilpatrick (MI) Oberstar McCarthy Rehberg Sullivan Walden (OR) not voting 22, as follows: Kind Olver McCollum (MN) Reichert Sweeney Walsh King (IA) Ortiz McCotter Renzi [Roll No. 549] Tancredo Wamp King (NY) Osborne McCrery Reynolds YEAS—411 Tanner Wasserman Kingston Otter McDermott Rogers (AL) Taylor (MS) McGovern Rogers (KY) Schultz Abercrombie Cannon Dreier Kirk Owens Taylor (NC) McHenry Rogers (MI) Waters Ackerman Cantor Duncan Kline Oxley Terry McHugh Rohrabacher Watt Aderholt Capito Edwards Knollenberg Pallone Thomas McIntyre Ross Waxman Akin Capps Ehlers Kolbe Pascrell Thompson (CA) McKeon Royce Weiner Alexander Capuano Emanuel Kucinich Pastor Thompson (MS) McKinney Ruppersberger Weldon (FL) Allen Cardin Emerson Kuhl (NY) Paul Thornberry McMorris Ryan (OH) Weldon (PA) Andrews Cardoza Engel LaHood Pearce Baca Carnahan English (PA) Tiahrt McNulty Ryan (WI) Westmoreland Langevin Pelosi Bachus Carson Eshoo Tiberi Meehan Ryun (KS) Whitfield Lantos Pence Baird Carter Etheridge Meek (FL) Sabo Wilson (SC) Larsen (WA) Peterson (MN) Tierney Baker Case Evans Meeks (NY) Salazar Wolf Larson (CT) Peterson (PA) Towns Baldwin Castle Everett Melancon Sa´ nchez, Linda Woolsey Latham Petri Turner Barrett (SC) Chabot Farr Mica T. Wu Pickering Udall (CO) Barrow Chandler Fattah LaTourette Michaud Sanchez, Loretta Wynn Leach Pitts Udall (NM) Millender- Sanders Young (AK) Bartlett (MD) Chocola Feeney Upton Barton (TX) Clay Ferguson Lee Platts McDonald Saxton Young (FL) Levin Poe Van Hollen Bass Cleaver Filner ´ Lewis (CA) Pombo Velazquez ANSWERED ‘‘PRESENT’’—1 Bean Clyburn Fitzpatrick (PA) Visclosky Beauprez Coble Flake Lewis (GA) Pomeroy Cuellar Walden (OR) Becerra Cole (OK) Forbes Lewis (KY) Porter Walsh Berkley Conaway Ford Linder Price (GA) NOT VOTING—23 Wamp Berman Conyers Fortenberry Lipinski Price (NC) Boswell Hall Ros-Lehtinen Berry Cooper Fossella LoBiondo Pryce (OH) Wasserman Brown-Waite, Harris Roybal-Allard Biggert Costa Foxx Lofgren, Zoe Putnam Schultz Ginny Hastings (FL) Sensenbrenner Bilirakis Costello Frank (MA) Lowey Radanovich Waters Cunningham Mack Shaw Bishop (GA) Cramer Franks (AZ) Lucas Rahall Watson Diaz-Balart, L. Obey Simmons Bishop (NY) Crenshaw Frelinghuysen Lungren, Daniel Ramstad Watt Diaz-Balart, M. Payne Tauscher Bishop (UT) Crowley Gallegly E. Rangel Waxman Foley Rangel Thompson (CA) Blackburn Cubin Garrett (NJ) Lynch Regula Weiner Gohmert Reyes Wexler Blumenauer Cuellar Gerlach Maloney Rehberg Weldon (FL) Blunt Culberson Gibbons Manzullo Reichert Weldon (PA) b 1310 Boehlert Cummings Gilchrest Marchant Renzi Weller Boehner Davis (AL) Gillmor Markey Reynolds Westmoreland Ms. LINDA T. SANCHEZ of Cali- Bonilla Davis (CA) Gingrey Marshall Rogers (AL) Wicker fornia, Mrs. KELLY, Ms. McKINNEY, Bonner Davis (FL) Gonzalez Matheson Rogers (KY) Wilson (NM) Ms. HART, and Messrs. CARTER, Bono Davis (IL) Goode Matsui Rogers (MI) Wilson (SC) BONNER, RADANOVICH, BAIRD, Boozman Davis (KY) Goodlatte McCarthy Rohrabacher Wolf Boren Davis (TN) Gordon McCaul (TX) Ross Woolsey WALSH, LUCAS and SULLIVAN Boucher Davis, Jo Ann Granger McCollum (MN) Rothman Wu changed their vote from ‘‘aye’’ to ‘‘no.’’ Boustany Davis, Tom Graves McCotter Royce Wynn Mrs. EMERSON, Ms. EDDIE BER- Boyd Deal (GA) Green (WI) McCrery Ruppersberger Young (AK) Bradley (NH) DeFazio Green, Al McDermott Rush Young (FL) NICE JOHNSON of Texas, and Messrs. Brady (PA) DeGette Green, Gene EVANS, FATTAH, DENT, JOHNSON of Brady (TX) Delahunt Grijalva NOT VOTING—22 Illinois, JACKSON of Illinois and Brown (OH) DeLauro Gutierrez CARDOZA changed their vote from Brown (SC) DeLay Gutknecht Boswell Hall Roybal-Allard Brown, Corrine Dent Harman Brown-Waite, Harris Sensenbrenner ‘‘no’’ to ‘‘aye.’’ Burgess Dicks Hart Ginny Hastings (FL) Shaw Mr. CUELLAR changed his vote from Burton (IN) Dingell Hastings (WA) Cunningham Mack Simmons ‘‘no’’ to ‘‘present.’’ Butterfield Doggett Hayes Diaz-Balart, L. Obey Tauscher Buyer Doolittle Hayworth Diaz-Balart, M. Payne So the joint resolution was not Wexler Calvert Doyle Hefley Foley Reyes Whitfield passed. Camp Drake Hensarling Gohmert Ros-Lehtinen

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