"Team Maryland" Highlights All the State Has to Offer Soldiers, Civilians, and Contractors Slated to Come to Aberdeen Proving Ground Through BRAC
"Maryland Stands at the Ready"

(Aberdeen, MD)-  Congressman Benjamin Cardin (D-MD) and Congressman C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger (D-MD) joined Senator Paul Sarbanes (D-MD), Senator Barbara Mikulski (D-MD), Aris Melissaratos, Secretary of the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development, and other local business and community leaders to spread the word that "Maryland Stands at the Ready" for the 2,176 new positions slated to be moved to Aberdeen Proving Ground (APG) through the Department of Defense's Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) proposal. The group of local, state, and federal officials highlighted all Maryland has to offer at a forum at Aberdeen Science and Math Academy at Aberdeen High School on Monday, June 27th, 2005.

Maryland has a highly educated workforce, a wonderful quality of life, top notch schools, and affordable housing opportunities. APG has transformed itself from an old school, traditional military base to a state of the art, high tech installation that is integral in fighting "The War on Terror".

"Today's meeting shows the depth of support that exists in Maryland for the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) proposal. The Maryland Congressional delegation is united in ensuring that these jobs come to Aberdeen Proving Ground (APG). The BRAC proposal is focused on strengthening our nation's security and I strongly support their view expanding APG is an important to our national security," said Congressman Benjamin Cardin (D-MD).

"We brought Team Maryland together today to show that 'Maryland is at the Ready' to support these new workers. Maryland has a great quality of life, top notch schools, an educated workforce and affordable housing opportunities. We looking forward to welcoming these workers to our communities," said Congressman C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger (D-MD).

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