Scott Responds To Base Closing Announcement

SCOTT RESPONDS TO BASE CLOSING ANNOUNCEMENT
Base Closing Commission Recommendation to Close Area Bases "A Terrible Mistake"

Congressman Scott with BRAC Commissioner and Mayors of East Point and Forest Park (June 10)

JONESBORO, Aug 24 - Today Congressman David Scott issued the following statement condemning the recommendation of the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure Commission panel to close both Fort Gillem and Fort McPherson:

"I am very, very disappointed by the BRAC panel's recommendations to shut down both Fort Gillem and Fort McPherson. Closing these bases will be a terrible mistake given their unmatched military value and strategic readiness for homeland defense.

"Fort Gillem and Fort McPherson have been very instrumental in coordinating the war in Iraq and mobilizing Army Reserve and National Guard forces to the front lines. Further, these bases have provided a strong military presence for the vital metro Atlanta region. Closing Fort Gillem and Fort McPherson will remove Atlanta from being a major player in military affairs, readiness, and national security decisions.

"At every step in this BRAC process, I joined with Governor Perdue, Senators Isakson and Chambliss, GMACC, and the Fort McPherson and Fort Gillem community to remove the Forts from the BRAC list. However, in spite of today's grim announcement, we must continue to fight.

"We must make use of the next available step, which is to communicate to President Bush the urgency of keeping a base open in the Atlanta region. And hopefully, the President will agree with us that now is not the time to downsize our military by such drastic measures as closing the bases in Atlanta when the world stage is presenting us with extraordinary terror concerns."

http://davidscott.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=33164