Participates in Maryland Military Installation Strategic Session and MOU Signing Ceremony at Indian Head
Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (D-MD) released the following statement today after attending the Maryland Military Installation Strategic Planning Council meeting to discuss the 2005 BRAC with leaders from throughout the state of Maryland. Hoyer also participated in a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signing ceremony today to show his support for the Center for Energetic Concepts Development (CECD) and the work they are doing to develop, preserve, and advance our military's energetics capabilities which are critical to sustaining and advancing the superiority of the United States in energetics and weapons fields.
"This BRAC strategy session is a good opportunity for all of Team Maryland to come together to ensure that we are doing everything we can to make sure Maryland is prepared for whatever we face when the Department of Defense BRAC list is released next month. Earlier this year I met with Governor Ehrlich, who has close ties to the Bush Administration and Secretary Rumsfeld, and I look forward to continuing to work together with the Governor's Administration and with Senators Sarbanes and Mikulski in the coming months.
"Maryland has many significant military installations and we are not taking this process for granted. However, I believe our community is prepared for the scrutiny that may come from the BRAC process and as the Commission assesses our national security needs over the next two months, I am confident they will recognize the superior capabilities being utilized jointly by all forces of our military at the installations in Southern Maryland and their tremendous military value.
"I look forward to meeting with each of the newly named BRAC Commissioners, some of whom I know very well, as the BRAC process moves forward. All of the Commissioners have years of experience as defense and military leaders who have made significant contributions to our nation. And, I am hopeful that the Commission will give every base a fair shot, will objectively hear each recommendation and will treat each of our communities equitably.
"I also was pleased to participate in the MOU signing ceremony at Indian Head where we recognized the unique and important partnership between the Southern Maryland Defense Alliance, the University of Maryland, the Indian Head Division Naval Surface Warfare Center, and the College of Southern Maryland who have long recognized the importance of educating the next generation of energetics experts. The Center for Energetic Concepts Development (CECD) at the University of Maryland is the nation's only advanced full spectrum education program to address research and development in energetics. This education program is a tremendous advantage to ensuring Indian Head has a wealth of expertise and the future intellectual capital necessary to maintain the advanced capabilities making this installation a critical asset to our military.
"Furthermore, the MOU that was signed today is another example of the important role the community is playing in Charles County to support the valuable work being done at Indian Head and to prepare for its long-term success."
Congressman Hoyer is known as a leader in Maryland when it comes to Maryland's bases and he has consistently fought to protect and preserve Southern Maryland's military installations - successfully protecting and retaining thousands of jobs at Pax River, Indian Head and St. Inigoes during the previous BRACs of 1993 and 1995. Hoyer has spent countless hours at the Pentagon talking to key decision makers about the vital role these bases play in our national security and has secured hundreds of millions of dollars in federal funds for projects and programs that benefit Southern Maryland's military installations and the state of Maryland.