Langevin Reacts to Base Realignment and Closure Announcment

LANGEVIN REACTS TO BASE REALIGNMENT AND CLOSURE ANNOUNCEMENT
May 13, 2005

(Washington, D.C.)-Congressman Jim Langevin (RI-02), a member of the House Armed Services Committee, today reacted to the release of Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld's list of recommended military base and facility closures for the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) round.

"This morning, I received the Pentagon's list of bases and facilities to be closed in the 2005 BRAC Round," said Langevin. "I am extremely pleased to report that none of Rhode Island's major facilities appear on that list, and our state is in fact slated to gain over 500 jobs once the recommended realignments are carried out. Naval Station Newport is a tremendous asset to the U.S. Navy, and I am gratified that Secretary Rumsfeld has recognized its continuing importance to our nation's military."

"The BRAC process in Rhode Island has truly been a coordinated effort by the Congressional delegation, state legislators, Governor Carcieri and Lt. Governor Fogarty, local governments and defense industry stakeholders throughout the state," Langevin continued. "We have worked for nearly two years to ensure that the value of our state's defense facilities was fully understood by Pentagon decision-makers, and our efforts have paid off so far."

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http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/ri02_langevin/pr051305brac.html