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 the Southeast Arkansas region.  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.