Steven Holt: “I thank both gentlemen. This means a great deal to the people of New Jersey, to whom we owe a great deal for their…”

“I thank both gentlemen. This means a great deal to the people of New Jersey, to whom we owe a great deal for their military work. Secretary of the Army, Washington, DC, February 25, 2011. Hon. Rush Holt, U.S. House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Dear Representative Holt: Thank you for your August 17, 2010 letter concerning the closure of the commissary and post exchange on Fort Monmouth, New Jersey. As we have discussed, the post exchange stores at Fort Monmouth must close in preparation for the closure of Fort Monmouth. However, I have directed the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Installations, Energy and Environment to send an official request to the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness [USD(P&R)] to keep the Fort Monmouth commissary open for a transitional 2-year period following installation closure. If USD(P&R) approves this request, the continued operation of the commissary for this 2-year period will be conditional on a volume of sales that supports operational costs. Defense Commissary Agency's (DeCA) projections indicate annual sales of $9.2M in the year following closure. DeCA will continue to review sales and cost data and will advise the Army if sales decline significantly. Thank you for your inquiry into this matter and for your continued support of our Soldiers and their Families. Sincerely, John M. McHugh. With that understanding, Mr. Chairman, I ask unanimous consent to withdraw my amendment. The Acting CHAIR.…”