Congressman Mike Ross, Fourth Congressional District of Arkansas



Volume 5, Issue 20,
May 20, 2005
Weekly Newsletter



 



 
MIKE'S WEEKLY MESSAGE


 
BRAC Recommendations


 
Last week, the Department of Defense released their recommended list of bases to be either closed or realigned as a result of the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure Process.  Based on the recommendation, the state of Arkansas stands to have a net gain in jobs.  While there is a great deal of good news for Arkansas, there was some bad news for our neighbors near Texarkana, Texas.  

Friday was a great day for the cities of Pine Bluff, White Hall, and Southeast Arkansas as the Pine Bluff Arsenal is slated to remain open.  Employing 1,200 people, the Pine Bluff Arsenal is a critical component of the economic vitality of Southeast Arkansas.  The fact that Pine Bluff Arsenal was not on the list handed down from the Pentagon sends a very strong message that the multiple missions provided by the Pine Bluff Arsenal will continue for the years to come.

The Arsenal plays an essential role in keeping soldiers safe around the world.   It has been tasked with disposing of the second largest stockpile of chemical weapons in the country and has an ongoing mission to destroy munitions across America as they are found.  The Arsenal is the only facility outside of Israel in the free world that makes White Phosphorous -- a flammable chemical used in times of combat to create a white wall of smoke that allows soldiers to enter and exit a dangerous situation without being seen.  

Unfortunately, the report recommends the closure of the Red River Army Depot and Lone Star Army Ammunition Plant, located near Texarkana, Texas, which directly employs 2,649 people and hundreds of Southwest Arkansas residents.  The Red River Army Depot is one of the only facilities that manufacture armor-plated doors for Humvees, which are critical to protecting our troops from small arms or explosive devices in Iraq.  Additionally, the Depot provides maintenance for Bradley Fighting Vehicles and is the worldwide center for recertification of PATRIOT and HAWK missiles.  

Although the Department of Defense has handed down their recommendations to the BRAC commission, this process is far from over.  The BRAC Commission will conduct their own investigation through field hearings, site visits, and other fact finding missions.  In September, a revised list will be sent to President Bush who has the authority to accept or reject their recommendations as does Congress.  

Last Sunday, I attended a town hall meeting in Texarkana with Texas Senators Kay Bailey Hutchinson and John Cornyn, and Texas Congressman Ralph Hall.  We had a productive meeting with community leaders and elected officials to explore our options and develop a plan of action.  On Tuesday, the Arkansas Congressional Delegation met with Commission Chairman Anthony Principi and discussed the military value of Red River Army Depot and Lone Star Army Ammunition Plant.  As your member of Congress, I will continue to work in a bipartisan manner to keep Red River Army Depot and Lone Star Army Ammunition Plant open as the BRAC process unfolds.



 



 
  Arkansas Congressional Delegation Meets with BRAC Commission Chairman 

 


 
(Washington, D.C.)  The Arkansas Delegation Tuesday met with BRAC Commission Chairman Anthony Principi to discuss Pentagon recommendations to close the Red River and Lone Star Army Depots and realign the 188th Air National Guard Unit in Fort Smith. Delegation members stressed the critical missions each installation conducts.  
  
Principi told Delegation members that BRAC decisions would be made on the military value of each base and pledged that his commission would thoroughly consider and review all testimony and documentation Delegation members presented on behalf of Arkansas military bases.  
  
“I thank Chairman Principi for taking the time to meet with us today. It was a good first meeting and we intend to follow up with other BRAC Commissioners. Chairman Principi said something today that was very important. He wants these BRAC recommendations to be made on the military value of each base and I think we have a strong case when it comes to Fort Smith and Texarkana. As we speak, F-16’s from the 188th are proving their military worth by being deployed to Middle East. The Red River and Lone Star Army Depots provide support and maintenance for some of our most critical weapons systems and vehicles including the Bradley Fighting Vehicle and Multiple Launch Rocket System, both of which have been key to our efforts in Afghanistan and Iraq,” Pryor said. “We will continue to scrutinize the DOD’s recommendation and work to make sure the BRAC Commission understands the important role Arkansas’s military installations play in our overall defense strategy.”  
  
"Holding a meeting with the Chairman of BRAC immediately following the publication of his commission’s report is indicative of our Delegation’s commitment to fighting for our facilities," Lincoln said. "While today was merely the first step in the process, we have conveyed our unified voice and have indicated to the BRAC Commission that their recommendations would have severe impacts in Arkansas. Over the next several weeks, I look forward to providing evidence and documentation to the BRAC Commission of the invaluable contributions Red River, Lone Star and the 188th Fighter Wing are currently making to our national defense."  
"I am very grateful for Chairman Principi's time and attention.  The meeting was positive and gave us the opportunity to promote the value of the 188th's current mission to the top official on the BRAC Commission.  We outlined the investments that have been made in the 188th and explained how they have always scored well on their tests, have an excellent relationship with the community and how the airmen of the 188th are currently playing an instrumental role in the mission in Iraq.  The Senators and I will continue to promote these qualities to Chairman Principi and hope to bring him to Fort Smith to see this firsthand in the very near future," said Boozman. 

"Today's Arkansas Congressional Delegation Meeting with Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) Commission Chairman Principi was one of many steps and actions I will be involved with in the BRAC process. I appreciate Chairman Principi agreeing to meet with us on such short notice.  Red River Army Depot and the Lone Star Army Ammunition Plant are important military facilities in keeping our soldiers safe during wartime and providing them with the equipment they need to do their job.  The value of the work done at the Red River Army Depot and the Lone Star Army Ammunition plant is clear as the work involves making and repairing items that keep our troops safe, such as armor-plated doors for Humvees.  I will not let these bases be closed without a fight and will continue to work with local community leaders in Texarkana, the Arkansas and Texas Congressional Delegations, and BRAC Commissioners as the process continues to unfold." Ross said.


 




 
House Passes FY 2006 Interior Appropriations Report
Bill Includes $6,059,000 for Hot Springs Bathhouse Row Rehabilitation



 
(WASHINGTON D.C.) – Fourth District Rep. Mike Ross (D-Ark) Friday announced that the House version of the FY 2006 Interior, Environment and Related Appropriations Report contains $6,059,000 for the final phase of the rehabilitation of the Superior, Maurice, and Lamar Bathhouses located in Historic Bathhouse Row in Hot Springs National Park.

The money will fund the final phase of rehabilitation for the Hot Springs bathhouses and will put the bathhouses in a position to be functional retail buildings.  Upon completion, the bathhouses will be suitable for leasing to a private developer pending approval from the National Park Service.

"Restoring these bathhouses has been one of my top priorities since my first day in office,” said Ross.  “The bathhouses are located in the heart of historic Hot Springs National Park, and will revitalize downtown, creating tremendous economic opportunity for the city.  This project is essential to preserving downtown Hot Springs for future generations of Arkansans”

The Senate must now pass their version of the bill.  Once the final conference committee bill is passed, the President must sign it into law before this project is final.
 


 




 
Please Contact Mike at 
1-800-223-2220 
mike.ross@mail.house.gov or
www.house.gov/ross



 


 

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