|
Friends of the Fourth
District:
In light of Secretary of Defense, Donald Rumsfeld’s announcement,
the Los Angeles Air Force Base will not be cited for closure on the
Base Relocation and Closure (BRAC) List.
The Los Angeles Air Force Base Alliance with the support of the
California Council on Base Support and Retention, made a solid case
for the military value of the Los Angeles Air Force Base. I provided
the Alliance with the first $100,000 to hire advocates in both
Sacramento and Washington D.C. to monitor the BRAC process on a
daily basis.
Words cannot express the elation I feel to know that Secretary
Rumsfeld has recognized the military value of the Los Angeles Air
Force Base. By keeping the Base off the BRAC list, we can ensure
that the many experienced scientists and engineers in Los Angeles
will continue to help provide solutions to combat terrorism and
ensure our nation's security.
The Los Angeles Air Force Base manages $60 billion in military
aerospace contracts and directly employs some 4,500 seasoned defense
scientists, specialists and workers. In addition, the Air Force Base
impacts 125,000 jobs within the County and statewide.
Los Angeles Air Force Base plays an unmatched role in providing the
critical technological infrastructure for our national security. If
that's not enough to keep it open, Los Angeles Air Force Base
generates $16 billion in economic activity throughout California.
The news of its retention is certainly good news – but we will
continue to aggressively make our case with BRAC to keep our Air
Force Base off any future closure and realignment list.
Should you have any questions about this, or any other issue, please
feel free to contact my office at (213) 974 – 4444.
DON KNABE
Supervisor, Fourth District
County of Los Angeles
### |
