S*0997 Concurrent Resolution, By I.E. Lourie, D.L. Hinds and J.M. Long
 A Concurrent Resolution to Memorialize the Defense Base Closure and
 Realignment Commission to recognize the tremendous value of the Myrtle Beach
 Air Base as a military installation and a critical component of out Nation's
 defense and strongly urge this commission to closely scrutinize and review the
 base closing process and selection and to remove the Myrtle Beach Air Base
 from the closing list.

   05/16/91  Senate Introduced, adopted, sent to House SJ-12
   05/21/91  House  Introduced HJ-119
   05/21/91  House  Referred to Committee on Invitations and Memorial
                     Resolutions HJ-119
   05/23/91  House  Committee report: Favorable Invitations and
                     Memorial Resolutions HJ-4
   05/23/91  House  Adopted, returned to Senate with concurrence HJ-5

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

TO MEMORIALIZE THE DEFENSE BASE CLOSURE AND REALIGNMENT COMMISSION TO RECOGNIZE THE TREMENDOUS VALUE OF THE MYRTLE BEACH AIR BASE AS A MILITARY INSTALLATION AND A CRITICAL COMPONENT OF OUR NATION'S DEFENSE AND STRONGLY URGE THIS COMMISSION TO CLOSELY SCRUTINIZE AND REVIEW THE BASE CLOSING PROCESS AND SELECTION AND TO REMOVE THE MYRTLE BEACH AIR BASE FROM THE CLOSING LIST.

Whereas, the United States Department of Defense has recommended the closing of the Myrtle Beach Air Force Base; and

Whereas, this decision is being reviewed by the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Commission; and

Whereas, the commission will report recommendations to the President and if the President approves these recommendations the report will be submitted to Congress; and

Whereas, the Myrtle Beach Air Base is critical to this country's national security and clearly demonstrated this in mobilizing troops and supplies during Operation Desert Storm; and

Whereas, Myrtle Beach Air Base is one of our nation's few coastal bases providing a strategic and critical link in our national defense system which could not be replaced given the environmental protection afforded our country's endangered coastal wetlands; and

Whereas, over the years the Myrtle Beach Air Base and its surrounding communities have forged a very successful, neighborly relationship mutually beneficial to all; and

Whereas, the Air Base has been given use of the civilian airport and greatly benefits from the civilian resources allocated for runway and facility operation, maintenance, and improvements; and

Whereas, the region also has benefitted substantially from the presence of the base as it is a well-established, significant sector of the local economy and its closure would impose serious economic hardships on the families and communities in the area; and

Whereas, the selection of Myrtle Beach Air Base for closing raises many questions in that, among other things, it rated higher and would produce lesser savings than many other bases, including some not selected to be closed; and

Whereas, the proven role of this base in our nation's defense, its value as a significant, unique military installation, and its established place in our local community certainly warrant close scrutiny and review of the selection process and its proposed closing. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the Senate, the House of Representatives concurring:

That the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina memorializes the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Commission to recognize the tremendous value of the Myrtle Beach Air Base as a military installation and a critical component of our nation's defense and strongly urges this commission to closely scrutinize and review the base closing process and selection and to remove the Myrtle Beach Air Base from the closing list.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Commission in care of its chairman, Jim Courter, 1625 K Street, Northwest, Suite 400, Washington, D. C. 20006.