News From…
Congressman Dennis Cardoza
18th Congressional District of California
Cardoza Expresses Disappointment With Guard Decision To Bush And Rumsfeld |
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Lawmaker Says He Will Continue To Press For Move Of 129th Rescue Wing To Castle |
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| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 28, 2005 |
CONTACT: Bret Ladine (202) 225-6131 |
| WASHINGTON – In a letter to President George W. Bush and Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, Congressman Dennis Cardoza, D-Merced, today expressed his disappointment with the Pentagon's recent decision to cut funding for the proposed move of an Air National Guard unit to the former Castle Air Force Base in order to support the war on terror. "While I strongly support our troops fighting the war on terror, I believe the decision to cut the relocation funding is short-sided from a budgetary standpoint, as it will result in only small short-term savings while sacrificing tens of millions in long-term savings," Cardoza wrote. "In fact, the Guard's own due diligence has shown that the relocation will result in savings of at least $60 million over the next 20 years." Cardoza reminded Bush and Rumsfeld that the move is vital to the future of the 129th Rescue Wing and its personnel, most of whom already live in the Central Valley. "I believe the Guard has overwhelmingly proven that the move is necessary to preserve the long-term viability of the Wing," Cardoza continued. "…The principal reason cited for the relocation is the high cost of living in the San Francisco Bay Area, which has caused persistent personnel problems affecting the readiness and retention of the [unit]." Since taking office in January 2003, Cardoza has worked with his congressional colleagues on a bipartisan basis to secure support for the Wing's move to Castle. Those efforts have resulted in the support of 14 members of the California congressional delegation, including House Appropriations Committee Chairman Jerry Lewis, House Armed Services Committee Chairman Duncan Hunter, and the entire Central Valley delegation. Cardoza concluded that Castle is the only option for the 129th Rescue Wing. "The facts demonstrate that Castle is a superior location and that is why I will continue to press for the 129th to move there," Cardoza wrote. "With those concerns in mind, I stand ready to work with you and my colleagues in the United States Congress to secure relocation of the [unit] as soon as possible." |
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