Governor Jan Brewer Selected to Serve as Member of the Federal Council of Governors
Press Release
Governor Jan Brewer has been appointed by President Obama to a two-year term as a member of the Council of Governors, authorized by the United States Congress in 2008 and ordered by the President of the United States in January of 2010 (link below). Governor Brewer joins 10 other Governors, 5 from each political party, as members of the council.
"I am grateful for the opportunity the President of the United States has provided me to serve as a member of the Council of Governors," said Governor Brewer. "I am honored to serve in a bipartisan effort on a subject that is at the heart of the role of government -- the security and defense of our Nation. This subject is of great interest to all Americans, and I am pleased the President has recognized the role of Governors. I am grateful that the invitation to Governors is almost assuredly a sign of interest in balancing federal authority with the rights of states exclusively reserved in the 10th Amendment to the United States Constitution. I want to be a voice for matters of vital importance to states, such as border security, that are clearly the responsibility of the federal government. At the same time, I also want to be at the table to ensure long-standing tradition and precedent, such as the special role of the National Guard in state affairs, remains intact. The National Guard's state role must be preserved, even as its valuable role in the global war on terrorism evolves. I look forward to being a strong advocate for Arizona's continued leadership in national defense issues and for protecting the interests of those men and women serving in uniform in Arizona, this Nation or in other places around the globe."
Created in 2008 and appointed today, the Council of Governors is charged to " exchange views, information, or advice on matters involving the National Guard; homeland defense; civil support; synchronization and integration of State and Federal military activities in the United States; and other matters of mutual interest pertaining to National Guard, homeland defense, and civil support activities." The Council was created as part of the National Defense Reauthorization Act of 2008.
Governor Brewer has been a strong advocate of national defense, state's rights and border security throughout her 27 years in elected office. Governor Brewer has pursued federal accountability for Arizona border security, specifically on March 11, 2009, calling on Defense Secretary Gates for the addition of National Guard troops at our border with Mexico as a part of the very successful and experienced Joint Counter Narcotics Terrorism Task Force (Gates Letter attached). Later in 2009, three other border governors joined Governor Brewer in a bipartisan call for federal action at the border.
Military installations and national defense related industries are a key driver to Arizona's economy, and have been highlighted by the Governor as a key factor in Arizona job growth and recovery. The State of Arizona is home to over 21,000 Active Duty personnel, more than 19,000 Reserve and National Guard personnel and in excess of 9,000 Department of Defense civilian employees. Arizona is home to 19 Department of Defense military installations and sites with assets valued at nearly $20 billion. Arizona is home to 600,000 retired military and veterans of all branches and backgrounds, including 15,000 Native Americans.
Details regarding Governor Brewer's appointment can be found at the following links:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/president-obama-announces-more-keyadministration-posts-2410-0
http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/2010executive_order.pdf
http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/president-obama-signs-executive-order-establishingcouncil-governors
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