WHEREAS, South Carolina's military installations and facilities are essential to the national defense, the safety and security of our citizens; and

WHEREAS, military installations and facilities, personnel and their families, and retirees located in South Carolina are integral components of the State's economy; and

WHEREAS, the presence of these military installations and personnel positively impacts the State's economy; and

WHEREAS, facilitating the interaction between government and private sector leadership is crucial in order to maintain a vital United States Department of Defense presence in South Carolina; and

WHEREAS, a coordinated effort is fundamental to the strategic planning of the communities associated with this State's military installations.

NOW, THEREFORE, I do hereby establish the South Carolina Military Base Task Force ("Task Force") and the Governor's Military Base Advisory Committee ("Advisory Committee"). The Task Force shall coordinate efforts among the public and the private sectors to maintain the significant United States Department of Defense presence in South Carolina. The Advisory Committee shall advise the Governor on any issues and strategies related to military base closures.

1. The Task Force shall be co-chaired by the South Carolina Comptroller General and a retired General or retired Flag Officer who shall be appointed by the Governor. The Task Force shall be comprised of the following individuals or their designees:

   South Carolina Adjutant General
   Secretary of the South Carolina Department of Commerce
   Director of the Governor's Office of Veterans Affairs
   Executive Director of South Carolina Chamber of Commerce
   Chief Executive Officer of Beaufort Chamber of Commerce
   Chief Executive Officer of Charleston Chamber of Commerce
   Chief Executive Officer of Columbia Chamber of Commerce
   Chief Executive Officer of Sumter Chamber of Commerce
   Chairperson of Beaufort County Council
   Chairperson of Berkeley County Council
   Chairperson of Charleston County Council
   Chairperson of Richland County Council
   Chairperson of Sumter County Council
   Mayor of Beaufort
   Mayor of Charleston
   Mayor of Columbia
   Mayor of North Charleston
   Mayor of Sumter

   1. The Governor shall also appoint one member of the House of Representatives and one member of the Senate to the Task Force.

   2. The co-chairmen may include other individuals or their designees from the affected communities.

   3. The South Carolina Military Assistance Council shall serve as a resource to the Task Force.

   4. The Budget and Control Board shall provide staff support through the Office of the Executive Director as necessary to assist the Task Force in carrying out the directives of the Executive Order.

2. The Advisory Committee shall be comprised of individuals who have had experience as senior military officers in one of the military services, all of whom shall be appointed by the Governor. One of the members shall be the co-chairman of the Task Force and shall also serve as the chairman of the Advisory Committee.

I hereby rescind Executive Order 2001-31. This Order shall take effect immediately.

GIVEN UNDER MY HAND AND THE THE GREAT SEAL OF THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA, THIS 10th DAY OF MARCH, 2003

___________________________
MARK SANFORD
Governor

Last Updated: Tuesday, July 7, 2009 at 11:13 A.M.