Posted October 31, 2005

Congress took action yesterday to complete the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) process by voting not to reject the list of military facilities slated for change. This list of bases was prepared by the United States Defense Department in order to transform our military to meet our nation's future security needs. It was reviewed and modified by a commission of retired military leaders and other experts and then forwarded to the President and ultimately Congress. Yesterday's vote likely is the final step in that process and virtually ensures that the existing BRAC list will be enacted without change.

Following the vote, Governor Schwarzenegger issued the following statement:

"This is very good news for California. In its preparations and review, the Pentagon and the BRAC Commission recognized what we here in California have long known: California is critical to our nation's ability to meet the threats of the 21st century and our military bases have unique advantages because of their location in California in meeting those threats.

"As a result, California did very well in this latest BRAC process. New missions will be assigned to a number of California bases and some will be realigned, but California was spared the closure of major bases, which did occur in earlier BRAC rounds.

"This did not happen automatically or by accident. California's success in protecting our important bases was the result of coordinated hard work and a unified, bipartisan effort. I want to thank - and congratulate -- the local communities who provided the leadership and knowledge to help our state's efforts. I also want to thank our Congressional delegation for working in a bipartisan fashion to ensure that California's strategic advantages for our national security were heard at the highest levels.

"And I wish to express my deepest appreciation and gratitude to the California Council on Base Support and Retention. At my request, this panel of retired military and community leaders volunteered to help our state's efforts and they did a fantastic job of making sure the state put its best foot forward when making our case to Washington. Thank you to Council Co-chairs Leon Panetta and Donna Tuttle.

"To those communities that have had bases realigned and jobs transferred, rest assured that we will work with the federal government to ensure that the required assistance is provided throughout the transition period. And to those base communities that have seen their missions renewed or even increased, know that California is confident in your ability to rise to the challenge of continuing to protect America's security for the future."

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