ASSEMBLY RESOLUTION No. 162

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

211th LEGISLATURE

INTRODUCED MAY 13, 2004

Sponsored by:

Assemblyman MICHAEL PANTER

District 12 (Mercer and Monmouth)

Assemblyman ROBERT MORGAN

District 12 (Mercer and Monmouth)

Assemblyman LARRY CHATZIDAKIS

District 8 (Burlington)

SYNOPSIS

    Urges Congress and Department of Defense to keep open New Jersey military bases.

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

    As introduced.

(Sponsorship Updated As Of: 12/14/2004)

An Assembly Resolution urging Congress and the Department of Defense to keep open all of New Jersey's military bases.

Whereas, The United States Congress has authorized a Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) initiative for 2005 to consolidate, realign, or find alternative uses for current military facilities; and

Whereas, This will be the fifth such initiative since 1988, and will be the largest round of cuts yet, encompassing an estimated 20 to 25 percent of all facilities; and

Whereas, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld is planning to close at least 100 of the nation's 425 military bases, totaling more than the four previous rounds combined; and

Whereas, There are seven federal bases located in various parts of this State that may be subject to closure or reduction; and

Whereas, These military bases are vital to our national security interests, especially in this time of global conflict; and

Whereas, The bases are also a valuable asset to New Jersey's economy, and have a positive impact on our communities; now, therefore,

    Be It Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

    1. This House urges Congress and the Department of Defense to keep open all of New Jersey's military bases.

    2. Duly authenticated copies of this resolution, signed by the Speaker of the General Assembly and attested to by the Clerk thereof, shall be transmitted to each member of New Jersey's Congressional delegation and Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld.

STATEMENT

    The United States Congress has authorized a Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) initiative for 2005 to consolidate, realign, or find alternative uses for current military facilities. New Jersey currently has seven military facilities that may be subject to closure or reduction under this initiative. This resolution urges Congress and the Department of Defense to keep open all of New Jersey's military bases.