HATS OFF, KUDOS, CONGRATULATIONS

Hats off, Kudos, Congratulations” to my legislative colleagues in the Fairbanks area! Sen. Ted Stevens, General Craig Campbell and his team, University of Alaska President Mark Hamilton, and especially to the entire Fairbanks and North Pole community, and everyone else involved, for a “good job well done” in saving Eielson Air Force Base at North Pole from closure.

The outstanding team effort convinced the Base Closure and Realignment Commission (BRAC) that Eielson AFB is vital to the defense of the United States and Alaska, and that alleged cost savings for the proposed closure were inaccurate. An additional benefit is that the Fairbanks/North Pole community is spared from devastating economic loss.

My House Special Committee on Military and Veterans’ Affairs had sent a “Sense of the Committee” letter signed by me as Chairman, as well as every member of the committee, to the BRAC Commission opposing the closure of Eielson AFB. However, it was the team effort in the Fairbanks area that “carried the ball” in saving this critical base from closing. Again, “Hats off, Kudos, Congratulations”!!