Thank you for holding these important hearings throughout California to hear from local communities that could be potentially affected by base closures in the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) process.

My staff and I have visited California’s military bases from Lassen County to San Diego County. California’s military bases are critical to national and international security.

California’s wide range of geography and climate is optimal for battle simulation and combat training. The topography of our deserts as well as our high mountain areas in the Sierra Nevada and White Mountains provide diverse training for the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines. The enormous size of our state also allows for thousands of acres of open space for unencroached ground, air and aquatic military training.

Our bases are the center of innovation and discovery for the future. The intellectual infrastructure of California’s military bases are second to none. California is home to the only base nationwide that can launch government and commercial satellites into orbit, aerospace research, world-renowned laboratories, and state-of-the-art military intelligence, including manned and unmanned global reconnaissance.

California has also played a major role in humanitarian efforts both in the United States and abroad. After the devastating attacks on our own soil on 9/11, many of California’s bases transported mobile medical units, communication, medical aid and first responders personnel to Ground Zero to assist with recovery efforts. Our military bases also deployed medical supplies, food, and blankets to Afghanistan to its citizens in preparation for the devastating winters.

These are just a few of the many assets unique to California’s military bases. We need to ensure that these assets will be considered by the defense department as it prepares for the 2005 BRAC.

I commend our many communities throughout the state who are working so hard to protect our important and crucial California military bases. I also commend Governor Schwarzenegger and the Council on Base Support and Retention for their hard work as well.

I will continue to work with my able staff and all of you for our great state.

Thank you.