Media Center

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.” ###

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RELATED ITEMS: CONGRESSMAN SCOTT FIGHTS TO KEEP FORT GILLEM OPEN Congressman Scott Tours Fort Gillem with BRAC Commissioner Congressman Scott Joins BRAC Commissioner on Tour of Fort McPherson COLUMN: Forts Gillem and McPherson Provide Critical Link for Troops ARTICLE: Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Base Backers Make Case July 1, 2005 Text of Congressman Scott's Opening Remarks at BRAC Regional Hearing VIDEO: June 30 -Congressman Scott and Congressman John Lewis Fight Ft. Gillem and Fort McPherson Base Closings at BRAC Regional Hearing, held at Georgia Tech Conference Center (streaming footage, courtesy of Georgia Public Broadcasting) VIDEO: June 30 - Statewide Overview of Recommended Military Base Closings from BRAC Regional Hearing, held at Georgia Tech Conference Center (streaming footage, courtesy of Georgia Public Broadcasting) VIDEO: June 30 - Closing Remarks from BRAC Regional Hearing at Georgia Tech Conference Center (streaming footage, courtesy of Georgia Public Broadcasting) VIDEO: June 30 - Congressman Scott and State Official Speak at Press Conference Following BRAC Regional Hearing (streaming footage, courtesy of Georgia Public Broadcasting) Scott Condemns Base Closings