AJR 11, as introduced, Burke. Military bases: closures.
This measure would memorialize the President and the Congress of the United States to recognize the unique military value of California’s defense installations and the disproportionate sacrifices California has endured in previous base realignment and closure (BRAC) rounds.
Fiscal committee: no.
P1 1WHEREAS, The federal Department of Defense conducted base
2realignment and closure (BRAC) rounds in 1988, 1991, 1993,
31995, and 2005. The previous BRAC rounds resulted in the closure
4of 25 major bases in California, and the realignment of eight other
5facilities; and
6WHEREAS, A sixth BRAC round for 2017 has been proposed
7in the fiscal year 2016 federal budget; and
8WHEREAS, California has been the state hardest hit by the
9Department of Defense’s previous BRAC rounds. In the first four
10BRAC rounds, for example, the state absorbed 25 percent of the
11total base closures nationally and 11 percent of the base
12realignments; and
P2 1WHEREAS, California absorbed 54 percent of personnel cuts
2in the first four BRAC rounds, losing more federal military jobs
3from the closure of its military bases than the combined losses in
4all other states. Additionally, 300,000 private sector defense
5industry jobs in California were eliminated as a result of those
6base closures; and
7WHEREAS, These base closures had a severe impact on local
8governments and communities, some of which continue to struggle
9with the transition and reuse of these closed bases; and
10WHEREAS, There are currently more than 30 major federal
11military installations and commands remaining in California that
12could be closed or realigned as a result of another BRAC process;
13and
14WHEREAS, The Department of Defense and the defense
15industry represent a major industry in California today, totaling
16more than $71 billion in direct spending and employing more than
17350,000 Californians. Total effects on the economy far exceed
18these numbers; and
19WHEREAS, For over half of a century, California’s workers,
20businesses, industries, and universities have contributed to our
21national security, utilizing their talents, capital, and skills to
22develop and manufacture new technologies, aircraft, satellites,
23missiles, and advanced weapons systems; and
24WHEREAS, Military installations provide the foundation for
25United States defense efforts. Maintaining these installations is,
26therefore, critical to supporting America’s national security.
27California is vital to the mission and might of our United States
28military. Our seaports and airports, bases and equipment, research
29labs and testing grounds support the finest fighting force in the
30world; and
31WHEREAS, As our nation faces new security threats in the 21st
32century, California remains ready to confront these dangers. In
33space, cyberspace, over land, at sea, and in the air, California is
34helping the military meet the challenges of today and tomorrow.
35From troop deployment to systems development and cybersecurity,
36training to logistics, the future of our military is here in California;
37and
38WHEREAS, Having been the leader in the nation’s defense
39effort, California state government must lead by articulating the
P3 1national security imperative of maintaining military installations
2within its borders; and
3WHEREAS, In an effort to be proactive in retaining military
4facilities within California that are essential to national security,
5and to provide for a single, focused strategy to defend these
6installations, in March 2013 Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr.
7established the Governor’s Military Council, in an effort to protect
8and expand the military’s vital role in national security and
9California’s economy. The council has met regularly throughout
10the state since its creation, and is continuing to work to protect
11California’s military installations and operations and to assist in
12recruiting new defense missions and operations to the state; now,
13therefore, be it
14Resolved by the Assembly and the Senate of the State of
15California, jointly, That California’s military installations possess
16critical military value and that California is ready to help the
17Department of Defense meet its goals now and in the future; and
18be it further
19Resolved, That the Legislature of the State of California
20respectfully memorializes the President and the Congress of the
21United States, to not only recognize the unique military value of
22California’s defense installations, but also continue to take into
23consideration all of the following:
24(a) California’s unparalleled land, air, and sea ranges that
25provide the ability to train all types of forces, year round, in every
26type of warfare effectively, efficiently, and economically.
27(b) California’s strategic location in the Pacific Theater is a
28critical factor in executing the National Defense Strategy strategic
29shift to the Pacific region by allowing for rapid deployment to
30trouble spots in Asia.
31(c) California’s ability to recruit and train highly skilled and
32educated personnel.
33(d) The existing synergies between military installations and
34the private sector.
35(e) The economic impact on existing communities in the vicinity
36of military installations.
37(f) Our incomparable quality of life, which enhances personnel
38retention.
39(g) The vast intellectual capital that has been developed in
40California since World War II.
P4 1(h) The disproportionate sacrifices California has endured in
2previous BRAC rounds; and be it further
3Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies
4of this resolution to the President and Vice President of the United
5States, to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, to the
6Majority Leader of the Senate, to each Senator and Representative
7from California in the Congress of the United States, and to the
8author for appropriate distribution.
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