Rep. Boozman Testifys on Support for 188th in Region Before the BRAC Commission in San Antonio

Rep. Boozman Testifys on Support for 188th in Region Before the BRAC Commission in San Antonio

Washington, Jul 11 - U.S. Representative John Boozman (AR-03) joined Arkansas' U.S. Senators and officials from Fort Smith in San Antonio today to testify on why the 188th Fighter Wing should remain intact and based in Fort Smith. Boozman delivered the following remarks on the support the 188th has in the region:

"Thank you for your service to our country. Though all of you have had stellar careers, it is ironic that perhaps your most important mission may be the one you are involved with now.

I was fortunate enough to be part of Secretary Principi's team and under his bipartisan leadership we were able to accomplish a tremendous amount for our nation's veterans.

From his previous visits to my District, Chairman Principi is familiar with my large veteran constituency. Nationally, we rank in the top 8 percentile in veteran population. Members of the military predominantly come from veteran's families. So, the 188th has a lot to offer in recruiting capability and military support, which is critical to sustaining our military forces.

Western Arkansas also contains the country's fifth-fastest growing Metro Area. It is a powerful economic engine as the home of several Fortune 500 corporations. This includes Wal-Mart and Tyson Foods, who are both winners of the Secretary of Defense's Employer Support Freedom Award.

My father was retired Air Force and, as a result, I spent my childhood on military bases. My work on the NATO Parliament and the VA Committee has allowed me to visit military bases throughout the world. I recently returned from Germany with Chairman Hefley, where we saw the centralization process our military is experiencing abroad.

Based on my personal experiences, the testimony presented by Col. Strom, and the fact that our region is rapidly growing and has enormous corporate support for the military, I can truthfully say it would be a mistake to eliminate the mission of the 188th.

As a Congressman who is very active and supportive of our nation's military, I am very concerned that the BRAC report branches into the policy arena, especially with the enclave concept. I feel Congress, along with the Administration and the Pentagon, should make these policy decisions in order to have greater continuity.

Again, thank you for your service on the BRAC Commission and to our country."

http://www.boozman.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=30448