Bob Filner: “this is a bill affecting the national security of the United States. I thank the Chair and the ranking member for all…”

“this is a bill affecting the national security of the United States. I thank the Chair and the ranking member for all the work on this bill. I have an amendment which pertains to my home town of San Diego, an amendment which I believe will protect the citizens of my city by preventing the serious negative impacts to their health, safety, and environment associated with the arrival of a Marine Corps helicopter fleet. Mr. Chairman, the 1995 Base Realignment and Closure Commission, as we call BRACC, specifically eliminated the mention of Miramar Naval Air Station as a receiving base for the helicopters under discussion. That is to say, this amendment has nothing to do with a BRACC decision. The BRAC Commission realigned Miramar Naval Air Station to Miramar Marine Corps Station, but said nothing about these helicopters. So we are not in this amendment interfering with any BRACC decision. Miramar Air Station is situated in the middle of a populated area of San Diego, a populated area now scheduled to receive up to 163 of these helicopters, 163 huge 99-foot CH-53 Super Stallions, CH-46 Sea Knight transport helicopters.”