December 8, 2004

Co-chair Leon Panetta addresses inaugural meeting of the California Council on Base Support and Retention, with fellow co-chair Donna Tuttle.

At Governor Schwarzenegger's request, the California Council on Base Support and Retention convened today at the State Capitol in Sacramento. The Council, co-chaired by former White House Chief of Staff Leon Panetta and former deputy secretary of the United States Department of Commerce Donna Tuttle, held its first organizational meeting in preparation for the Department of Defense's round of base realignments and closures taking place next year. The 18-member Council, comprised of retired military officers and civic leaders, will advise state and local communities on base retention strategy as the federal government seeks a nationwide reduction of its military infrastructure by 24 percent.

"The Governor's establishment of this Council is a strong, proactive effort to retain California's military bases," said Council co-chair Panetta. "As a state, we are committed to articulating the value of California's military installations for the nation's defense. Our Congressional delegation, the state government, local communities, and business groups are all united in this effort."

Southern California businesswoman and fellow co-chair Donna Tuttle agreed and stressed the Council's mission to help local communities prepare for the latest BRAC round. "Our job is to really do everything possible to help maintain these bases and if, in fact, a base is proposed for closure, to assist the host community in making its case to the federal BRAC commission," she said.

At Governor Schwarzenegger's request, the California Council on Base Support and Retention convened its inaugural meeting today at the State Capitol.

The Council's establishment builds on the progress California has made this year to increase the state's ability to welcome military missions and installations with a hospitable economic and regulatory climate. Governor Schwarzenegger signed legislation to increase funding for the Office of Military and Aerospace Support, the state office charged with coordinating base retention and conversion, and gave it the ability to seek grants and private donations to support its mission." Additional legislation signed by the Governor is expected to reduce the cost of constructing and maintaining military housing, encourage the basing of the Joint Strike Fighter in California, and prevent the threat of encroachment on military installations and training areas by requiring local communities to recognize the needs of military bases in local planning.

The Council on Base Support and Retention is made up of members with backgrounds in the military and state and local affairs. The Council will conduct public forums and receive input from experts and the public on BRAC policy. Administrative support will be provided by the Office of Military and Aerospace Support// under the aegis of the Business, Transportation & Housing Agency. Members of the Council receive no compensation for their work.

Council members are:

• Leon Panetta, co-director of the Leon & Sylvia Panetta Institute for Public Policy at CSU Monterey Bay
• Donna Tuttle, chair and co-owner of Elmore Tuttle Sports Group
• Major General Edward L. Andrews, consultant to defense contractors and the U.S. Army
• Major General Alice Astafan, CEO of the Federal Technology Center
• Phillip Coyle, senior advisor to the president of the Center for

Defense Information

• Robert Grady, partner and managing director for The Carlyle Group
• General Richard Hearney, U.S. Marine Corps, retired
• Vice Admiral Peter M. Hekman, Jr, U.S. Navy, retired
• Major General Daniel C. Helix, U.S. Army, retired
• General Joseph Hoar, consultant for American companies that do business overseas
• Elizabeth Ann Inadomi, attorney
• Major General William Jefferds, who most recently served as special adviser, California Office of Military Support
• Admiral Henry H. Mauz, Jr., president of the Naval Postgraduate School Foundation
• Major General J. Michael Myatt, president and CEO of the Marine's Memorial Association
• Roger "Ted" Rains, member, board of directors, Regional Defense Partnership-21
• Andrea Seastrand, executive director of the California Space Authority
• Major General Orlo Keith "O.K." Steele, U.S. Marine Corps, retired
• Admiral John Weaver, U.S. Navy, retired

For more information on the Council on Base Support and Retention, see the press release announcing its establishment at the Governor's website at http://www.governor.ca.gov.

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