Governor's Column: Keeping Kansas' Military Presence

The following is a column by Governor Kathleen Sebelius:

In my State of the State address in mid-January, I talked about the importance of continuing to have a military presence in Kansas and the need for a committee to work to prevent the closure or downsizing of Kansas' military bases. This past week I announced the membership and duties of the Governor's Strategic Military Planning Commission.

Our military bases contribute over $2 billion a year to the Kansas economy and result in tens of thousands of jobs in Kansas. Our military presence-dating back more than 170 years-is part of the heritage of this great state.

This Commission will be responsible for coordinating the efforts to prevent the closure or downsizing of Kansas' military facilities, maximizing our input into the BRAC process, working to protect the interests of the communities adjacent to the bases, encouraging the relocation of military missions to Kansas and mitigating the effects of any reduction in military civilian personnel.

The Commission is a shared, collaborative effort between the administration, key legislators, the Kansas Congressional delegation and key business and military leaders representing the Kansas base communities of Leavenworth, Junction City, Wichita and Topeka. Lt. Governor and Secretary of Commerce John Moore will serve as Chair and John Armbrust of Manhattan will serve as Executive Director of the effort. Armbrust currently serves as Vice President of the Manhattan Chamber of Commerce and retired from the Air Force as a full Colonel in 1993.

The Governor's Commission will include military and community leaders both on a federal and state level. It includes Adjutant General (appointed) Colonel Tod Bunting, and the Kansas Congressional delegation. Also serving on the committee is Speaker of the House Doug Mays, Representative Jim Ward, Senator Mark Gilstrap, and Senator Lana Oleen.

Kansas' military installations must be protected and, if possible, expanded. I will work with this Commission to build upon the heritage of this great State and keep our military presence.