Conrad, Delegation Launch "Save Our Bases" Petition Drive

Conrad, Delegation Launch "Save Our Bases" Petition Drive

Senators Kent Conrad and Byron Dorgan and Congressman Earl Pomeroy launched a statewide petition drive today in support of North Dakota's military installations for the upcoming Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) process.

"We are in a strong position for the upcoming BRAC round, but we're still in a tough fight," the delegation said in a joint statement. "Together, we will send a message to the Defense Department. They need to hear loud and clear — from all North Dakotans — how vital these bases are to both our nation and our state."

At stops in Fargo, Grand Forks and Minot today during the barnstorming tour, Senator Conrad and Congressman Pomeroy called for all North Dakotans to sign petitions in support of North Dakota's military installations.

The delegation is urging North Dakotans to log on to their Web sites and sign petitions pledging support for North Dakota's air bases. There are three petitions online, one for each of the state's military installations. The petitions convey the following message: "Our country and our community fully support our brave men and women in uniform. We are grateful for their dedicated service and will continue to fight to keep our bases where they belong — here in North Dakota."

On May 16th, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld will release a list of military bases he will recommend be closed. The delegation has lobbied the Pentagon continually over the last several years in an effort to keep North Dakota's bases off that BRAC list. Secretary Rumsfeld's recommendations will be reviewed by an independent commission, which will send President Bush their recommendations by September 8, 2005.

North Dakota's military bases have been the recipients of major military construction projects secured by the delegation. More than $200 million in construction, including new housing, runways and operations centers, have been launched over the last three years at the bases in Grand Forks, Minot and Fargo.

"We are telling Pentagon officials to keep our bases off the BRAC list. This is a chance for the people of North Dakota to make their voices heard on this vital issue," the delegation said.

To sign the petition on line, visit: www.conrad.senate.gov; www.dorgan.senate.gov; or www.pomeroy.house.gov.

http://conrad.senate.gov/~conrad/releases/05/04/2005425731.html