HERSETH STATEMENT ON ELLSWORTH MEETING

June 9, 2005, Washington, D.C. – Earlier today in Washington, Rep. Stephanie Herseth joined with Senators Johnson and Thune; Governor Mike Rounds; and Pat McElgunn of the Ellsworth Task Force for a meeting with the two co-chairs of the Air Force Base Closure Executive Group, the committee charged with making the Air Force’s recommendations to the Department of Defense.

The meeting was initially requested by Rep. Herseth through a series of communications with the Secretary of the Air Force, and represented a significant opportunity for the delegation, the governor and the Task Force to gain insight into the recommendation prior to the Field Hearing on the 21st.

Herseth said, “I am pleased that the Secretary of the Air Force responded to my request and facilitated this meeting, which was very informative and gave us a better understanding of the rationale used by the Air Force to put Ellsworth on the closure list. Since we’ve had significant delays in getting information from the Department of Defense, this meeting was helpful as we prepare for the Field Hearing on June 21st.”

The co-chairs of the Air Force Base Closure Executive Group at today’s meeting were Major General Gary W. Heckman and Gerald F. “Fred” Pease Jr. The meeting was the first meeting with the delegation, the Governor and the Task Force since the day the closure list was released.

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