Bill Text: TX SCR41 | 2017-2018 | 85th Legislature | Comm Sub

NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft
Bill Title: Urging Congress to direct the Department of Defense to relocate the United States Africa Command to Ellington Field Joint Reserve Base in Houston.

Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill

Status: (Passed) 2017-06-15 - Signed by the Governor [SCR41 Detail]

Download: Texas-2017-SCR41-Comm_Sub.html
 
 
  By: Taylor of Galveston, et al. S.C.R. No. 41
 
  (Paul)
 
   
 
 
 
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
  WHEREAS, The Pentagon could realize significant savings by
  relocating the United States Africa Command from Germany to
  Ellington Field Joint Reserve Base in Houston; and
         WHEREAS, When AFRICOM was created in 2007, the Department of
  Defense chose a temporary location in Stuttgart; it intended to
  select a permanent headquarters in Africa, but set this plan aside
  due to cost projections, security, and the sensitivities of African
  nations; and
         WHEREAS, The Department of Defense conducted a study in 2012
  that found maintaining AFRICOM headquarters stateside would cost
  $60 million to $70 million less per year, and now those savings
  would be even greater due to significant increases in Overseas Cost
  of Living Allowances rates; although relocation would involve
  expense, this expense could be recouped within two to six years;
  moreover, the relocation would repatriate about 1,400 direct jobs
  and create as many as 4,300 additional jobs for United States
  residents, and it would have an annual impact on the local economy
  ranging from $400 million to $500 million; and
         WHEREAS, Should the defense department decide to relocate
  AFRICOM, Ellington Field Joint Reserve Base in Houston would be an
  ideal home for the headquarters; the base features strong joint
  service military value of active duty, reserve, and guard units
  from all five United States armed services, some of which presently
  conduct training and operational missions for AFRICOM; it is also
  equipped to handle large military aircraft, and the city boasts one
  of the nation's most vibrant ports, which handles 40 percent of all
  United States trade with Africa; moreover, the community is
  exceptionally supportive of the military, and the Greater Houston
  area has strong cultural, educational, medical, and diplomatic ties
  with Africa; and
         WHEREAS, The Government Accountability Office has concluded
  that the relocation of AFRICOM to the United States would generate
  tremendous cost savings and economic benefits, and Ellington Field
  Joint Reserve Base offers advantages that would enhance the
  effectiveness of the headquarters; now, therefore, be it
         RESOLVED, That the 85th Legislature of the State of Texas
  hereby respectfully urge the United States Congress to direct the
  Department of Defense to relocate the United States Africa Command
  to Ellington Field Joint Reserve Base in Houston; and, be it further
         RESOLVED, That the Texas secretary of state forward official
  copies of this resolution to the president of the United States, to
  the secretary of the Department of Defense, to the president of the
  Senate and the speaker of the House of Representatives of the United
  States Congress, and to all the members of the Texas delegation to
  Congress with the request that this resolution be entered in the
  Congressional Record as a memorial to the Congress of the United
  States of America.
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