SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 301

(By Senators Unger and Tomblin, Mr. President)


Requesting the Base Realignment and Closure Commission reject the recommendations of the Secretary of the United States Department of Defense for closure of military facilities in West Virginia and the transfer of military aircraft to any other location.

Whereas, Donald Rumsfeld, Secretary of the United States Department of Defense, has recommended the closure of three military facilities in West Virginia and the transfer of C-130 aircraft currently maintained in West Virginia; and
Whereas, The Army Reserve centers in Huntington and Fairmont and the Navy-Marine Corps Reserve Center in Moundsville help provide economic stability and employment opportunities to many West Virginians; and
Whereas, The Air National Guard base at Yeager Airport in Charleston, home of the 130th Airlift Wing and the C-130 military aircraft, has been a longtime symbol of pride for many West Virginians. The 130th Airlift Wing provides roughly 1,000 jobs. The transfer of C-130 aircraft from the 130th Airlift Wing will cause the loss of more than 150 jobs; and
Whereas, As an already economically challenged state, West Virginia cannot stand to lose jobs as a direct result of the closing of military facilities and the transfer of C-130 aircraft; and
Whereas, C-130 aircraft provide assistance by delivering much- needed supplies, vehicles and troops to many areas of West Virginia and other parts of the nation that suffer disasters; and
Whereas, At a time when homeland security is a major issue, the security of West Virginia and its citizens will be threatened by the loss of C-130 aircraft; and
Whereas, Since the Korean War, C-130 aircraft have represented the great State of West Virginia in numerous conflicts, including the present war in Iraq; and
Whereas, West Virginians have always stood united in efforts to keep America strong. Per capita, more West Virginians have served in the armed forces of our nation than any other state in the union;
Whereas, The Legislature supports Senator Robert. C. Byrd who is leading the congressional delegation, consisting of Senator John D. Rockefeller IV, Representative Alan B. Mollohan, Representative Shelley Moore Capito and Representative Nick J. Rahall II, in these efforts on the federal level; and
Whereas, As elected representatives of the citizens of West Virginia, it is the Legislature's constitutional duty to preserve and protect our citizens and their prosperity. The Legislature strongly requests that the members of the Base Realignment and Closure Commission reject the recommendations of Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld as they relate to closing any military facility and the transfer of any C-130 aircraft from West Virginia; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Legislature hereby requests the Base Realignment and Closure Commission reject the recommendations of the Secretary of the United States Department of Defense for closure of military facilities in West Virginia and the transfer of military aircraft to any other location; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the Senate is hereby directed to forward a copy of this resolution to President George W. Bush; Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld; Chairman of the Base Realignment and Closure Commission Anthony Principi; Commission members James Bilhray, Philip Coyle, Admiral Harold W. Gehman, Jr., James V. Hensen, General James T. Hill, General Lloyd Newton, Samuel Knox Skinner and General Sue Ellen Turner; and West Virginia's congressional delegation.