Media Center

Today, Congressman David Scott joined Governor Sonny Perdue and Senators Isakson and Chambliss in condemning the Pentagon’s 2005 Base Closure and Realignment list released today that recommends that Fort McPherson and Fort Gillem should be closed. “The base closures are truly disappointing. I am surprised and shocked that the Pentagon would call for Fort McPherson and Fort Gillem to be closed when they have been so instrumental in coordinating the war in Iraq and mobilizing Army Reserve and National Guard forces to the front lines,” said Congressman Scott. “The important thing to remember is that these recommendations are only one step in the process, and I will continue to work with Governor Perdue, Senators Chambliss and Isakson, the BRAC commissioners, and my fellow members of Congress to keep Fort McPherson and Fort Gillem from being closed. We simply have to put party aside when it comes to fighting to keep our bases open,” Scott continued. The base closure list was hand delivered by uniformed officer today around 9:15 a.m. following a year of negotiations between Congressman Scott and top Pentagon officials to keep the bases open. Last May, Congressman Scott hosted a meeting with Paul Grone, Deputy Under Secretary for Installations and Environment, where he expressed strong opposition to the Defense Department’s latest BRAC round in light of ongoing military commitments in Iraq and in the war against terrorism. Congressman Scott also appealed directly to Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld to keep the bases open last fall during a Capitol Hill visit with congressional lawmakers. Earlier this year, the Defense Department announced plans to shift 70,000 troops from bases abroad to the United States, a move that ostensibly eased original base closing projections. Secretary Rumsfeld recently stated that excess base capacity is about half the 24 percent Pentagon officials previously cited. Next, the BRAC commission will announce its schedule of regional hearings to review the list and 2 commissioners will visit each base recommended for closure. Simultaneous hearings in multiple cities will be held until the commissioners can assemble a final list of base closures to submit to the President by September. Congress has 45 legislative days after President Bush approves and forwards the recommendations to Capitol Hill to issue a joint resolution of disapproval or the recommendations become binding. As a satellite installation and logistical support hub for Ft. McPherson, Clayton County’s Fort Gillem consists of 142 buildings and 77 tenants spread over 1,427 acres, with the First U.S. Army as the senior occupant. The First U.S. Army trains, mobilizes and deploys Army Reserve and National Guard units in the eastern United States, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and, as directed, conducts Homeland Defense in support of national objectives. The First US Army will relocate to Redstone Arsenal, AL. Fort McPherson currently serves as headquarters for the Third US Army, the US Army Reserve Command (USARC), and US Army Forces Command (FORSCOM). The Third US Army will relocate to Shaw Air Force Base, SC while FORSCOM and USARC will transfer headquarters to Pope Air Force Base, NC. Fort Gillem is projected to lose 1,081 jobs while Fort McPherson, Atlanta’s seventh largest employer, will shed 4,141 military and civilian positions. ###