Political Quotes

“Mr. Chair, I rise to offer my amendment No. 20 to division C of the Energy and Water Development Appropriations bill for Military Construction and Veterans Affairs. This amendment is meant to address an issue we have in Ontario, California. However, I expect many of the Members of this body have experienced it in their own districts at some point. In the Rules Committee hearing last night, I referred to this amendment as giving the Secretary of Defense the ability to finish the job, and that is precisely what we should expect from our service branches when they close military bases in our districts during BRAC rounds. Ontario International Airport was the Ontario Air National Guard Station, which was established in 1949. This facility remained in operation for decades, assisting training and support for the Korean, Vietnam, and countless other wars and conflicts. In 1997, the facility was closed as part of the latest Base Realignment and Closure process. This meant our Armed Services moved out. But instead of the airport being able to use the newly vacant land, the old site has sat largely unchanged for 20 years due to the environmental hazards of demolition. When military bases are closed, it can be devastating to our local communities. At the very least, we should expect our service branches to leave our communities in as good or better shape than they found them. In Ontario, California, old Air Force facilities have been left standing at the Ontario International Airport.…”