FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
July 11, 2005
Contact:  Rachel Kleinman
(202) 225-3772
 

Ross Testifies in San Antonio at BRAC Regional Hearing for Red River Army Depot and Lone Star Army Ammunition Plant
 
(Washington, D.C.) Fourth District Representative Mike Ross (AR-04) testified Monday in San Antonio, Texas at the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) Regional Hearing for Red River Army Depot and Lone Star Army Ammunition Plant.  Ross was joined by members of the BRAC Commission including BRAC Commission Chairman Anthony Principi, Texas Senators Kay Bailey Hutchinson and John Cornyn, Arkansas Senators Blanche Lincoln and Mark Pryor, and Congressman Ralph Hall (TX-04).  Hundreds of people from the Texarkana community made their way to San Antonio to show their support for Red River and Lone Star.  

Several bases slated for closure or realignment, including Red River Army Depot and Lone Star Army Ammunition Plant, had the opportunity to demonstrate to BRAC Commissioners their military value.  Ross testified specifically on discrepancies regarding the Office of the Secretary of Defense’s (OSD) evaluation of Lone Star Army Ammunition Plant, which provided the basis for the Department of Defense’s recommendation for closure.

“I am extremely appreciative that Chairman Principi was able to personally attend the regional BRAC hearing on Red River Army Depot and Lone Star Army Ammunition Plant in San Antonio today,” said Ross.  “We have made an outstanding case for the crucial role that Lone Star and Red River Army Depot play in our nation’s security.  The functions carried out by Red River Army Depot and Lone Star Army Ammunition Plant, such as making protective armor for humvees, are imperative in keeping our soldiers safe abroad, and other depots around our nation simply do not have the capacity to manufacture the equipment necessary.  I am cautiously optimistic that the Commissioners will feel the same way after hearing today’s testimony.”

Ross joined Chairman Principi on Sunday morning for a site tour of Red River Army Depot, his third meeting with the Chairman of the BRAC Commission.  Both Sunday’s site tour and Monday’s hearing are part of Ross’s continuing efforts to demonstrate the military value of Lone Star Army Ammunition Plant and Red River Army Depot.  Following today’s hearing in San Antonio, the commission will send a report to President Bush on September 8, 2005, outlining reasons for either accepting or rejecting the BRAC Commission’s recommendations.  


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