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Washington, D.C. -- U.S. Reps. Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-6) and Rush Holt (NJ-12) sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Defense today voicing concern over the possible departure of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) office located on the property of Fort Monmouth. Today’s action follows a letter sent yesterday to Robert S. Mueller III, Director of the FBI, in which to the two New Jersey lawmakers asked to meet with Director Mueller to discuss the agency's intentions.
Having heard from constituents who work at Fort Monmouth and from the FBI Congressional Liaison that the FBI is considering leaving its facility at the Fort prior to September 30, 2007, Holt and Pallone urged the Department of Defense to reconsider its decision not to transfer the property to the FBI at less than fair market value, and asked that the Pentagon work with the FBI to develop a plan that will enable the FBI to stay at Fort Monmouth indefinitely.
The full text of both letters is attached.
July 10, 2006
The Honorable Joseph W. Whitaker
Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army, Installations and Housing
OASA (I&E)
110 Army, Pentagon
Washington, D.C. 20310-0110
Dear Deputy Assistant Secretary Whitaker,
We are writing to you today to voice our concern over the possible departure of the Federal Bureau of Investigation office located at 1203 Nealis Avenue, Fort Monmouth, New Jersey.
Based upon correspondence we have received from constituents, as well as conversations we have had with the FBI Congressional Liaison’s Office, it is our understanding that the FBI is contemplating moving from Fort Monmouth before September 30, 2007. Though the rumored decision is not final, and we have written to FBI Director Robert Mueller to request a personal meeting on the topic, we are nonetheless deeply concerned that Defense Department policy is causing financial hardship for the FBI and, presumably, other federal tenants at Fort Monmouth. By denying a waiver of fair market value, the Department of Defense has forced the FBI to consider its future at the Fort Monmouth Army Garrison prematurely. We ask you to reconsider this decision.
More than one hundred FBI employees and a substantial investment of equipment currently occupy the FBI facility at Fort Monmouth, which provides automated support for investigative and administrative operations to FBI field offices in Eastern and Mid-Atlantic states. Given the current counterterrorism environment, we believe it would be a mistake to close this facility and disperse its employees.
The Local Redevelopment Authority, known as the Fort Monmouth Economic Revitalization Planning Authority, will be sworn in on July 14, 2006. Any decision by the FBI regarding its offices at Fort Monmouth should be delayed until this is done, and it is our hope and expectation that the Department of Defense will work with the FBI to develop a plan that will enable the FBI to stay at Fort Monmouth indefinitely.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Sincerely,
/s /s
FRANK PALLONE, JR. RUSH HOLT
Member of Congress Member of Congress
July 6, 2006
Robert S. Mueller, III
Director, FBI
Dear Director Mueller,
After speaking with the your Congressional Affairs office, it is our understanding that you are considering closing the Federal Bureau of Investigation office located at 1203 Nealis Avenue, Fort Monmouth, New Jersey, by September 30, 2007.
We recognize the difficult position in which the Department of Defense placed the FBI by denying a waiver of fair market value. It is clearly an unwelcome prospect to no longer be a tenant of the Department of Defense, and not be in a position to purchase the property that over one hundred FBI employees and a substantial investment of equipment occupy. However, given the current counterterrorism (CT) environment, we believe it would be a mistake to close this facility and disperse its employees. The FBI’s presence is too important for CT and other missions involving the Bureau and our local and state law enforcement organizations.
We would appreciate the opportunity to discuss the situation in detail with you next week and ask that you defer making any final decision regarding the fate of this facility until such discussions have been completed.
Sincerely,
/s /s
RUSH HOLT FRANK PALLONE
Member of Congress Member of Congress |
