Media Center

Today, U.S. Representative David Scott (GA-13) joined BRAC Commissioner James Bilbray during his tour of Ft. Gillem to examine whether the military installation should be closed as recommended by the Defense Department’s 2005 BRAC list.

“Today’s visit to Fort Gillem yielded a major opportunity for me to state the case for protecting this base and all that it provides for our nation’s military and our local community before a BRAC Commissioner who has publicly stated before that the Defense Department should not hastily close Ft. Gillem,” said Congressman Scott. “Home to several major Army Command Headquarters, Fort Gillem is directly engaged in the worldwide war on terrorism as well as homeland security and domestic disaster relief operations. The staff of Ft. Gillem presented a detailed and solid overview discussing the diverse merits and unique missions of this base again making for a solid case to defend and keep this base open.”

Fort Gillem currently serves as headquarters for the First US Army, 3rd Medical Command, 2nd Recruiting Brigade, US Army Criminal Investigation Laboratory, and the 52nd Explosives Ordnance Group (EOD). Ft. Gillem is also home to a regional Army Air Force Exchange Service Distribution Center, the Atlanta Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS), and the regional headquarters of FEMA, GEMA and the Red Cross. If the fort closes, Fort Gillem is projected to lose 1,081 jobs.

“I was very encouraged by the outcome of BRAC Commissioner Bilbray’s visit who shared time and time again how he was highly impressed by the quality of the facilities he saw and the overall strong military value of Ft. Gillem,” said Scott. “Commissioner Bilbray also raised significant concerns about the high costs the Defense Department would incur to reproduce this type of installation at any other location. I am hopeful that Ft. Gillem gained an advocate today in Commissioner Bilbray who stated himself that this base has an excellent chance of coming off the BRAC list.”

Congressman Scott will next participate in the BRAC Commission’s regional hearing in Atlanta on June 30. During the regional hearing, the BRAC Commission will listen to public concerns about the proposed area base closures prior to making their final recommendations to President Bush. 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.