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D.C. and District Talk

· Scott Air Force Base is NOT on BRAC List - Springfield Air Guard Is
Today the Pentagon announced that Scott Air Force Base is not on the recommended Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) list released by the Defense Department. In addition, Scott is expected to gain almost 800 new jobs, receive 12 new KC-135R aircraft, and add the Army Surface Deployment and Distribution Command and a Logistics Support Center.

Congressman Costello and I combined our legislative efforts to promote and expand the mission of Scott, as well as the community’s work to make Scott more viable, and we are very pleased to see that our efforts have been successful! The Illinois delegation – including Speaker Hastert and our Senators – have been united in support for Scott. I am also thrilled for the greater region…for the employees of Scott, for the military retirees that utilize Scott, and for the many ancillary businesses that benefit from the largest employer in southern Illinois.

Many groups, organizations and individuals deserve credit for helping to save Scott: the Illinois Congressional delegation, notably Speaker Dennis Hastert; state officials, including Governor Blagojevich and former Governor Ryan; local officials from all over the region, most notably John Baricevic; and the business community, led by the Southwest Illinois Leadership Council.

Proposed Additions/Changes at Scott Air Force Base:

· Add 797 net jobs.

· Receive 12 KC-135Rs from Grand Forks Air Force Base, SD. KC-135Es currently at Scott would be retired, for a net gain of four planes. The planes will be part of the 126th Air Refueling Wing.

· Receive Army Surface Deployment and Distribution Command from Fort Eustis, VA. This is the Army’s version of the Air Force’s Air Mobility Command, which is headquartered at Scott.

· An Air Force Logistics Support Center will be located at Scott, drawing on five major command regional supply squads that are being realigned.

· The inpatient mission at the 375th medical group will be disestablished and the hospital will be converted to a clinic with an ambulatory surgery center.

The BRAC list now goes to the nine member BRAC Commission for review. The Commission will hold hearings and report its recommendations to President Bush by September 8. It is very unlikely that a base will be added to the original list, as it takes seven of the nine commissioners to approve such a decision.

The Capital Airport Air Guard Station is on the BRAC recommendation for realignment. I am committed to continuing to work with local officials and my congressional colleagues to assist in helping to preserve this facility and assist the affected employees in whatever way possible.

The full list of recommendations can be found at http://www.defenselink.mil.

· New “Traveling Help Desk” Dates

On Friday, May 13, Dora Rohan of my Collinsville district office will be available to help the residents of Flora. She will be at the City Hall on 131 East 2nd Street from 1:00 p.m. until 2:30 p.m.

Appointments are not necessary, so feel free to drop by at any time. For more information, please visit my web page at http://www.house.gov/shimkus/helpdesk.htm. I hope you stop in to see us!

Legislative Week in Review

· The following bills were passed by the House of Representatives this week:

o H.R. 1279 – Gang Deterrence and Community Protection Act of 2005 (Rep. Forbes – Judiciary)

o H.R. 1544 – Faster and Smarter Funding for First Responders Act of 2005 (Rep. Cox – Homeland Security)

· To keep up to date on legislation as it moves through the legislative process please visit http://thomas.loc.gov and type in the bill number.

Anticipated Action on the House Floor Next Week

· Congress will be in session from Tuesday through Thursday of next week. Some of the legislation which will be considered includes:

o Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act for FY06

o Department of Interior, Environment and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for FY06

· Want to know more? Keep an eye on the Office of the Clerk’s web site: http://clerk.house.gov/legisAct/index.html. This site provides up-to-date information on House legislative schedules.

Did You Know?

· May 15th is Peace Officers Memorial Day

Every year on May 15, the nation’s law enforcement communities celebrate Peace Officers Memorial Day as part of National Police Week. Peace officers are on the front lines of our nation’s communities, helping to preserve our basic rights as Americans. Show your support for the 153 peace officers killed in the line of duty nationwide in 2004, as well as for the more than 870,000 law enforcement personnel currently serving, by lowering your flags to half-mast on May 15th.

For more information on National Police Week and Peace Officers Memorial Day please visit http://www.nleomf.com.

Thank you for the interest in my newsletter! Remember to tell your friends about it as well--they can sign up on my web page at http://www.house.gov/shimkus.

Sincerely,

Congressman John Shimkus

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