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For Immediate
Release
5/11/11
Listen
Alloway, Blake Announce Formation of Military
Installations and Base Development Caucus
HARRISBURG – Senator Richard Alloway II (R-33) and Senator John Blake (D-22)
announced the formation of the bipartisan, bicameral Military Installations and
Base Development Caucus today.
The primary goal of the caucus will be the preservation of Pennsylvania's 11
military bases and more than 164,000 defense-related jobs. The caucus will work
to strengthen the dialogue with federal lawmakers and military and civilian
leadership at military facilities throughout the state and prepare and plan for
future Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) activities.
The annual economic impact of federal defense spending in Pennsylvania is
estimated to be more than $18 billion.
"Our military bases play a pivotal role in training and equipping our troops
around the world, and the communities that host these bases take tremendous
pride in our local contributions to the nation's military," Alloway said. "Our
bases also serve as a vital part of our state and local economies by providing
good-paying jobs for local residents. Letterkenny Army Depot in my district is a
staple of the local economy and a point of pride for many Franklin County
residents."
Blake added, "With the recent mention that the Department of Defense will be
convening another Base Realignment and Closure Commission in 2015, it is
imperative that we start working now to make sure these jobs and the economic
activity that comes with them are not lost to other states. In my district,
Tobyhanna Army Depot is estimated to produce a total regional annual economic
impact of $2.8 billion and its presence alone creates 18,000 regional jobs. If
the legislature is serious about saving and creating jobs for our residents, we
cannot afford to undersell the importance of our military bases and depots like
Tobyhanna."
Alloway and Blake will serve as co-chairs for caucus in the Senate, while
Reps. Scott Perry (R-92) and Harry Readshaw (D-36) will serve as co-chairs in
the House of Representatives.
Contact:
Sally Kohr (717) 787-4651 (Senator Alloway)
Kyle Mullins (717) 787-6481 (Senator Blake)
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