Political Quotes

“the Hispanic Caucus has been a very active participant throughout the BRAC process. Our concern has been the closure of Kelly Air Force Base in San Antonio. We have worked in a bipartisan manner with our colleagues from San Antonio in order to ensure that the economic viability of San Antonio continues. As you heard this morning, and studies have shown, on the merits Kelly Air Force Base deserves to continue its mission. It has been very effective. It has been efficient and plays a vital role in the defense of this country. So on the merits alone, Kelly Air Force Base deserves to continue its mission. One of the concerns that we have as the Hispanic Caucus is that Kelly Air Force Base has been a long-time employer of the Hispanic community in San Antonio. To date, over 60 percent of the civilian employment base in Kelly is of Mexican-American descent. Kelly Air Force Base has had a long history in the Hispanic community. It has provided employment and in turn has provided opportunities for Hispanic families to better themselves. If Kelly Air Force Base is closed according to the BRAC recommendation, it will have a devastating effect in the Hispanic community of San Antonio, high unemployment, lack of opportunity for families to better themselves. Mr. Speaker, Kelly Air Force Base deserves to stay open, continue its mission on the merits, but it also needs to continue in order to ensure the well-being of San Antonians in Texas.”