AJR 11, as amended, 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.
P2 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
13WHEREAS, California absorbed 54 percent of personnel cuts
14in the first four BRAC rounds, losing more federal military jobs
15from the closure of its military bases than the combined losses in
16all other states. Additionally, 300,000 private sector defense
17industry jobs in California were eliminated as a result of those
18base closures; and
19WHEREAS, These base closures had a severe impact on local
20governments and communities, some of which continue to struggle
21with the transition and reuse of these closed bases; and
22WHEREAS, There are currently more than 30 major federal
23military installations and commands remaining in California that
24could be closed or realigned as a result of another BRAC process;
25and
26WHEREAS, The Department of Defense and the defense
27industry represent a major industry in California today, totaling
28more than $71 billion in direct spending and employing more than
29350,000 Californians. Total effects on the economy far exceed
30these numbers; and
31WHEREAS, For over half of a century, California’s workers,
32businesses, industries, and universities have contributed to our
33national security, utilizing their talents, capital, and skills to
34develop and manufacture new technologies, aircraft, satellites,
35missiles, and advanced weapons systems; and
36WHEREAS, Military installations provide the foundation for
37United States defense efforts. Maintaining these installations is,
38therefore, critical to supporting America’s national security.
39California is vital to the mission and might of our United States
40military. Our seaports and airports, bases and equipment, research
P3 1labs and testing grounds support the finest fighting force in the
2world; and
3WHEREAS, As our nation faces new security threats in the 21st
4century, California remains ready to confront these dangers. In
5space, cyberspace, over land, at sea, and in the air, California is
6helping the military meet the challenges of today and tomorrow.
7From troop deployment to systems development and cybersecurity,
8training to logistics, the future of our military is here in California;
9and
10WHEREAS, Having been the leader in the nation’s defense
11effort, California state government must lead by articulating the
12national security imperative of maintaining military installations
13within its borders; and
14WHEREAS, In an effort to be proactive in retaining military
15facilities within California that are essential to national security,
16and to provide for a single, focused strategy to defend these
17installations, in March 2013 Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr.
18established the Governor’s Military Council, in an effort to protect
19and expand the military’s vital role in national security and
20California’s economy. The council has met regularly throughout
21the state since its creation, and is continuing to work to protect
22California’s military installations and operations and to assist in
23recruiting new defense missions and operations to the state; now,
24therefore, be it
25Resolved by the Assembly and the Senate of the State of
26California, jointly, That California’s military installations possess
27critical military value and that California is ready to help the
28Department of Defense meet its goals now and in the future; and
29be it further
30Resolved, That the Legislature of the State of California
31respectfully memorializes the President and the Congress of the
32United States, to not only recognize the unique military value of
33California’s defense installations, but also continue to take into
34consideration all of the following:
35(a) California’s unparalleled land, air, and sea ranges that
36provide the ability to train all types of forces, year round, in every
37type of warfare effectively, efficiently, and economically.
38(b) California’s strategic location in the Pacific Theater is a
39critical factor in executing the National Defense Strategy strategic
P4 1shift to the Pacific region by allowing for rapid deployment to
2trouble spots in Asia.
3(c) California’s ability to recruit and train highly skilled and
4educated personnel.
5(d) The existing synergies between military installations and
6the private sector.
7(e) The economic impact on existing communities in the vicinity
8of military installations.
9(f) Our incomparable quality of life, which enhances personnel
10retention.
11(g) The vast intellectual capital that has been developed in
12California since World War II.
13(h) The disproportionate sacrifices California has endured in
14previous BRAC rounds; and be it further
15Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies
16of this resolution to the President and Vice President of the United
17States, to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, to the
18Majority Leader of the Senate, to each Senator and Representative
19from California in the Congress of the United States, and to the
20author for appropriate distribution.
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