A Senate Resolution calling on the Congress of the United States to exclude Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst ¹and Picatinny Arsenal¹ when considering future defense department budget cuts.

¹[Whereas, The Department of Defense announced recently that it will propose reductions in the size of the Armed Forces of the United States to pre-World War II levels, and in the bases that support military operations; and

Whereas, Although it is too early for anyone to say what effect such reductions will have on Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, concern has been expressed that the base's fleet of 32 KC-10 refueling planes may be forced to retire; and

Whereas, Any reduction in the personnel or operations of the Joint Base could have a catastrophic effect on the communities and businesses that surround the Joint Base; and

Whereas, The Joint Base is the State's second-largest employer, with more than 44,000 employees, and it contributes approximately $6.9 billion into the region, indirectly supporting 65,000 jobs at stores, businesses and restaurants in the surrounding area; and

Whereas, Recent reductions in federal spending on the military has already had a serious effect on the Joint Base, resulting in a hiring freeze, vacant positions and units being deactivated; and

Whereas, Adding to the impact of these reductions is the drawdown of troops from Afghanistan and Iraq, which results in fewer troops going through Fort Dix and less of a need for the services normally provided to those troops; and

Whereas, Also of concern is the fact that the KC-10 fleet, which carries cargo and people in addition to conducting fueling missions, is relatively small and may be obsolete when new, more efficient tanker jets are deployed at Pease Air National Guard Base in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, in 2017; and

Whereas, Although the Joint Base continues to have a vital role in this country's armed forces, it is the concern of business and civic leaders in the Joint Base area that the cumulative effect of the proposed reductions in funding and changes in the base's mission will make it a prime target when Congress conducts another round of bases realignments and closures; and

Whereas, It is fitting and proper for this House to call on the Congress of the United States to not include Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst when considering future defense department budget cuts; now, therefore,]¹

¹Whereas, The Department of Defense announced recently that it will propose reductions in the size of the Armed Forces of the United States to pre-World War II levels, and in the bases that support military operations; and

Whereas, Although it is too early for anyone to say what effect such reductions will have on Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst or Picatinny Arsenal, concern has been expressed that such changes will have a deleterious effect on the mission and jobs of thousands of military and civilian personnel on each base; and

Whereas, In addition, any reduction in the personnel or operations of either the Joint Base or the Arsenal could have a catastrophic effect on the communities and businesses that surround the Joint Base and the Arsenal; and

Whereas, The Arsenal is the Joint Center of Excellence for Armaments and Munitions, providing products and services to all branches of the Armed Forces of the United States, and 90 percent of the Army's lethality and all conventional ammunition for joint warfighters; and

Whereas, The Arsenal is one of the largest employers in Morris County, employing 3,907 civilians, approximately 93 military personnel and about 1,035 contractors, thus contributing greatly to the region's economy; and

Whereas, Recent reductions in federal spending on the nation's military has already had a serious effect on military installations in this State, resulting in hiring freezes, vacant positions and units being deactivated; and

Whereas, Adding to the impact of these reductions is the drawdown of troops from Afghanistan and Iraq; and

Whereas, Also of concern is the fact that the Joint Base's fleet of KC-10 aircraft, which carries cargo and people and conducts fueling missions, is relatively small and may be obsolete when new, more efficient tanker jets are deployed at Pease Air National Guard Base in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, in 2017; and

Whereas, Although these military installations continue to have a vital role in this country's armed forces, it is the concern of business and civic leaders in the Joint Base and Arsenal areas that the cumulative effect of the proposed reductions in funding and changes in the bases' mission could make these installations a prime target when Congress conducts another round of base realignments and closures; and

Whereas, It is fitting and proper for this House to call on the Congress of the United States to not include Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst and Picatinny Arsenal when considering future defense department budget cuts; now, therefore,¹

Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of New Jersey:

1. This resolution calls on the Congress of the United States to exclude Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst ¹and Picatinny Arsenal¹ when considering future defense department budget cuts.

2. Copies of this resolution, as filed with the Secretary of State, shall be transmitted by the Secretary of the Senate to the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, the Minority Leader of the United States House of Representatives, the President Pro Tempore of the United States Senate, and each Senator and Representative from New Jersey in the Congress of the United States.