Durbin Opposes Pentagon's Recommendation to Cut Jobs at Rock Island Arsenal

DURBIN OPPOSES PENTAGON'S RECOMMENDATION TO CUT JOBS AT ROCK ISLAND ARSENAL

U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) expressed serious concern over today's decision by the U.S. Department of Defense to include Rock Island Arsenal (RIA) on the list of military bases recommended for realignment in the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) process. Under the Defense Department's proposal, more than 1,200 local jobs will be lost.

"Rock Island Arsenal is a critical national security asset and a proven link in our nation's global war on terrorism. While there is some good news for RIA in today's announcement, including some new contractor jobs and the addition of the three-star command of the First Army, I am concerned that any large-scale move of personnel and equipment from the Arsenal will cause a disruption that we cannot afford in wartime," Durbin said.

"Rock Island Arsenal is our nation's only remaining Army foundry and metal manufacturing facility. When American soldiers began facing improvised explosive devices on the roads of Iraq, private industry could not keep up with the speed and innovation needed to produce protective armor; Rock Island did - producing steel armor kits for Humvees and other vehicles."

The proposed removal of units, including the Tank-automotive and Armaments Command, the Northwest Regional Installation Management Agency, the Defense Finance and Accounting Service, the North Central Civilian Operations Center, as well as Depot Maintenance positions would be a major economic loss to the area. In a direct deviation from BRAC's own criteria, the Department of Defense has proposed moving these units with outstanding performance - the North Central Civilian Personnel Operations Center that has been rated by the Army as the best operating CPO in the country.

Durbin noted that Rock Island Arsenal is the largest government-owned weapons manufacturing arsenal in the western world. It employs more than 6,400 military, civilian and contractor personnel and is a key economic engine for both Illinois and Iowa. The economic impact of the Arsenal on the Quad Cities is estimated at $1.1 billion annually and is the region's second largest employer.

"I will continue to work with Congressman Lane Evans, Senator Obama, Governor Blagojevich, the Quad City Development Group and other local leaders to put together our best case for the BRAC Commissioners why these important functions at RIA should not be moved out of Illinois," Durbin said.

Among the great assets of the Arsenal are its central location and room to grow, with over 300 acres and 1.9 million square feet available for additional development. Durbin will work to ensure that the BRAC Commissioners fully take these considerations into account.

Base Realignment and Closure is the congressionally-authorized procedure for the closure of U.S. military installations. The Department of Defense makes its recommendations to a bipartisan BRAC Commission appointed by Congressional leaders and the President. The BRAC Commission is required to make its final recommendations to Congress on closures and realignments by October of this year. The Commission's recommendations must be voted down or accepted as a whole by the House and the Senate within 45 days.

http://durbin.senate.gov/record.cfm?id=237633&&