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Sen. Pippy and Rep. Mustio Urge Coordinated Effort to Save Bases,
Jobs
HARRISBURG -- State
Senator John Pippy (R-37) and Rep. Mark Mustio (R-44) today urged a coordinated
effort among local, state and federal officials to save Pennsylvania military
installations targeted for closure, including three local facilities, and keep
jobs here.
“The proposed closures, if they
receive final approval, would have a severe impact on our local economy and
place hundreds of jobs in jeopardy,” Senator Pippy said. “We must act quickly
and in coordination to send a clear message that we are committed to taking
whatever actions necessary to keep those bases and those jobs here in
Pennsylvania.”
Rep. Mustio commented, “Dating
back to my days as a Supervisor in Moon Township, Senator Pippy and I have
worked closely to prevent the loss of our military jobs. I urge not only
government officials but also our residents to continue to work together to
prevent the loss of these facilities.”
“Based on the results of our
petition drive, I know there is great support in the community for this effort.
We were successful working together in the past to save the 911th and we can
work together again to save these facilities,” said Mustio.
Among the locations on the list
for closure released by Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld today are the 911th
Air Reserve Station and the Charles E. Kelly Support Facility. The 99th
Regional Readiness Command is scheduled for realignment by the Pentagon.
Closure of those sites would
have a severe impact on the economy of Western Pennsylvania, Senator Pippy
stressed.
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The 911th Air Reserve
Station -- supports 322 full time positions, 44 military personnel and 278
civilians
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The Charles E. Kelly
Support Facility in Oakdale -- It houses four army reserve units and four
other federal agencies, along with direct and general support services for
400 Army Reserve units/detachments across six states. Other agencies
include the commissary and Army/Air Force Exchange Service, selling $2.6
million in goods annually. The next nearest Post Exchange to Pittsburgh is
200 miles away. The Oakdale site employs 310 fulltime positions -- 174
military and 136 civilians.
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The 99th RRC -- It commands
a total of 59 reserve unit locations, 15 maintenance support facilities and
148 equipment concentration sites within the Commonwealth and units in four
other states and the District of Columbia, along with four subordinate
commands. The RRC employs 220 full time positions -- 199 military and 101
civilian.
“This must be a bipartisan
effort and involve all levels of government to prevent losing these facilities
and jobs,” Senator Pippy said. “When you add these proposed closings and job
losses to those that we have sustained in the past, the impact is devastating.
Pennsylvania has taken more than its fair share of closures and reductions
during the four previous BRAC rounds.”
Senator Pippy co-sponsored
Senate Resolution 44, a measure urging Pennsylvania’s Congressional Delegation
to work with the Governor to develop a comprehensive Statewide Base Retention
and Development Program “to protect our existing bases and aggressively seek to
expand our military presence in the BRAC process and beyond.”
Under the resolution, the
General Assembly and the governor would also ensure that sufficient funds are
made available to provide local Base Development and Retention programs the
opportunity to maximize the potential of their bases and increase their chances
of remaining open.
The Pentagon recommended
closing 188 military installations nationwide. The federal Base Realignment and
Closure Commission will hold hearings on the recommendations, and could make
additions or subtractions. The commission’s list will be sent to Bush by Sept.
8. If he accepts that plan, he would forward the list to Congress, which can
approve or reject it entirely but not make changes.
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