Press Releases
April 28, 2005
Delegation, Governor Meet With Top BRAC Official
Meeting is the Latest Effort to Keep North Dakota's Bases Off List of Facilities to be Closed
Washington -- Senators Kent Conrad and Byron Dorgan, Congressman Earl Pomeroy and Governor John Hoeven met with Anthony Principi, chairman of the Base Realignment and Closure — or BRAC — Commission today and urged him to keep North Dakota's bases off the list of military facilities that could be ordered closed this year.
The lawmakers and Governor met privately with Chairman Principi, the former Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and stressed the great strengths of the bases in North Dakota. Principi is head of the nine-member commission that will finalize the Pentagon's list of proposed bases targeted for closure.
"We made a strong case for our bases and hope Chairman Principi now has a better understanding of how critical these facilities are to both North Dakota and our nation," the officials said in a joint statement. "From the missile and bomber wings in Minot, to the Happy Hooligans in Fargo and the refueling tankers in Grand Forks, our bases in North Dakota are vital. Each plays a critical role in defending the country."
Today's meeting with Principi was the latest in a series of high-profile meetings the delegation and the Governor have had with Defense Department officials and top Pentagon brass. The delegation and Governor have lobbied the Pentagon continually over the last several years in an effort to keep North Dakota's bases off that BRAC list.
Earlier this week the lawmakers and Governor launched a statewide petition drive in support of North Dakota's military installations. The officials are urging North Dakotans to log on to their Web sites and sign petitions pledging support for North Dakota's air bases. As of this morning, close to 20,000 signatures have been collected in support of North Dakota's military installations. Paper petitions are also available at the city halls in Bismarck, Minot, Grand Forks and Fargo for people who lack Internet access.
By May 16th, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld will release a list of military bases he will recommend be closed. Secretary Rumsfeld's recommendations will be reviewed by the BRAC Commission, which will send President Bush its recommendations by September 8, 2005.
