H.C.R. No. 157
                              HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
    1-1        WHEREAS, The Defense Base Closure and Realignment Commission
    1-2  has voted to add three vital South Texas naval installations in the
    1-3  Corpus Christi area to a list of bases that potentially could be
    1-4  closed; and
    1-5        WHEREAS, Slated for possible closure are the Corpus Christi
    1-6  Naval Air Station, Naval Hospital Corpus Christi, and Naval Station
    1-7  Ingleside, which lies just north of the city across Corpus Christi
    1-8  Bay; and
    1-9        WHEREAS, Strategically located on the Gulf of Mexico, these
   1-10  exceptional installations have proven their worth as military
   1-11  assets and have become vital components of the local and regional
   1-12  economy; and
   1-13        WHEREAS, Midway between the east and west coasts of the
   1-14  United States, the Gulf of Mexico represents a key position in our
   1-15  nation's line of defense that requires the strong and continuing
   1-16  military presence that these Corpus Christi-area installations
   1-17  provide; and
   1-18        WHEREAS, Corpus Christi is ideally suited for the presence of
   1-19  naval installations when compared with similar installations in
   1-20  other states because of its deep water port, mild climate, and
   1-21  proximity to strategic areas of the Western Hemisphere; and
   1-22        WHEREAS, In addition, recent figures indicate that the United
   1-23  States Navy accounts for more than 9,000 jobs in Texas, many
   1-24  concentrated in the South Texas region, that bring millions of
    2-1  needed dollars into the area annually; and
    2-2        WHEREAS, The military installations in and near Corpus
    2-3  Christi are major employers in the region and house leading
    2-4  training facilities for navy pilots and important medical
    2-5  facilities; and
    2-6        WHEREAS, The loss of these facilities not only would leave a
    2-7  serious gap in the national defense but also would cause the many
    2-8  civilian employees of these installations the loss of their jobs, a
    2-9  devastating result the region and our country can ill-afford at any
   2-10  time, but especially during these times of economic uncertainty;
   2-11  now, therefore, be it
   2-12        RESOLVED, That the 73rd Legislature of the State of Texas
   2-13  hereby strongly urge the Defense Base Closure and Realignment
   2-14  Commission not to recommend closure of naval facilities in and near
   2-15  Corpus Christi; and, be it further
   2-16        RESOLVED, That the Texas secretary of state forward an
   2-17  official copy of this resolution to the commission as a formal
   2-18  expression of the sentiment of the Texas Legislature.
   2-19                                                             Berlanga
   2-20                                                     Hunter of Nueces
   2-21                                                                 Luna
   2-22                                                              Raymond
   2-23                                                               Rangel
   2-24                                                              Raymond
   2-25                                                               Rangel