MINUTES
Monday, April 22, 2002
12:00 p.m.
Greater Kelly Development Authority Conference Room, San
Antonio, Texas
*****
Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule
11.18, a public hearing of the Senate Committee on Veteran
Affairs and Military Installations was held on Monday, April 22,
2002, in the Greater Kelly Development Authority Conference
Room, 143 Billy Mitchell Blvd., Suite 6 San Antonio, Texas
*****
MEMBERS PRESENT: MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Eliot Shapleigh Senator Troy Fraser
Senator Carlos F.Truan
Senator Leticia Van de Putte
Senator Craig Estes
*****
Chairman Shapleigh called the meeting to order at 12:10 p.m.
The committee clerk called the roll, and there being a quorum
present, the following business was transacted:
Chairman Shapleigh requested everyone stand for the Presentation
of the Colors by the Military Honor Guard. The Colors were
presented and the Committee Director lead the audience in the
Pledge of Allegiance.
Chairman Shapleigh welcomed everyone to the committee hearing,
and recognized the Members of the Committee as well as the
special guests in the audience. Senators Truan, Van de Putte,
and Estes also made opening remarks.
Chairman Shapleigh recognized Councilwoman Bonnie Conner,
District 8 Councilperson, for welcoming remarks. Councilwoman
Conner welcomed everyone to San Antonio and then gave brief
testimony on Charge #1.
The following witnesses were called to respond to questions
raised during testimony by Councilwoman Conner:
Louis E. Davis, Economic Development Manager, City of San
Antonio
Tom Rumora, Director, Brooks City Base Office
Chairman Shapleigh then made a special presentation to an
individual that has dedicated his life to service in the
military, Mr. Valentin (Val) Martinez. Mr. Martinez was
presented with a flag for his service to our country and our
state.
Chairman Shapleigh welcomed Representative Ruth Jones McClendon
as a special guest and Representative McClendon made some
remarks.
Chairman Shapleigh announced the purpose of the hearing was to
receive briefings from invited testimony and to receive public
testimony regarding the interim charges that were assigned to
the committee by Lieutenant Governor Bill Ratliff.
The Chairman took a 2 minute recess to allow the Committee
Members to take pictures with Mr. Martinez.
Chairman Shapleigh recognized Joe Krier, President and CEO of
the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce, for welcoming
remarks. Mr. Krier welcomed the committee to San Antonio and
gave a brief overview on how the community was working with area
bases to make them stronger.
The Chairman then invited the following persons to provide a
briefing on the Texas National Guard and United States Reserves:
Major General Daniel James III, the Adjutant General
Col. (Ret.) John Wells, Director, Texas Military Facilities
Commission
Major General Wayne D. Marty, Assistant Adjutant General
Army
The panel provided written and oral testimony and responded to
questions by members of the Committee.
There being no further questions for these witnesses, the Chair
invited the following panel to provide testimony on BRAC and the
economic impact of the defense industry on Texas:
Lt. Col. (Ret.) George O'Kelley, Director of Defense
Affairs (State)
Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Josue Robles, Senior Vice President, Chief
Financial Officer and Corporate Treasurer of USAA and
Member of the Texas Strategic Military Planning
Commission
The Honorable Dora Alcala, Mayor of Del Rio and Member of
the Texas Strategic Military Planning Commission
Mr. Ralph Gauer, Vice Chair, Texas Strategic Military
Planning Commission
The panel provided written and oral testimony and responded to
questions by members of the Committee.
Chairman Shapleigh laid out the October 30, 2001 minutes.
Senator Truan moved the adoption of the minutes. There being no
objection, it was so ordered.
Chairman Shapleigh introduced the committee staff.
Chairman Shapleigh then invited Robert Rasmussen, Deputy
Executive Director, Greater Kelly Development Authority, and Mr.
Charles Gates, Director of Finance and Aviation, Austin
Bergstrom International Airport, to provide testimony on BRAC
and the reconstruction plans of bases after BRAC occurs.
The witnesses provided written and oral testimony and responded
to questions by members of the Committee.
There being no further questions for these witnesses, the Chair
invited the following panel to provide testimony on Brooks Air
Force Base and initiatives it has taken to encourage and support
public/private partnerships:
Dr. Brendan Godfrey, Deputy Director, Brooks AFB San
Antonio
Mr. Skip Mills, Texas Center for Applied Technology
Mr. Tom Rumora, Director, Brooks City Base office
Mr. Mark Frye, Economic Consultant to USAF
The panel provided written and oral testimony and responded to
questions by members of the Committee.
There being no further questions for these witnesses, the Chair
invited the following panel to provide testimony on the impact
of current mobilizations/activations upon Texas' guard and
reserve military members, their families, and employers:
Major General (Ret.) Elvin Schofield, Chairman, Committee
on Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve for Texas
Dale Pyeatt, Executive Director, Committee on Employer
Support of the Guard and Reserve for Texas
The panel provided written and oral testimony and responded to
questions by members of the Committee.
The Chairman called persons who registered as public witnesses
to provide testimony. The following public witness provided
oral and written testimony before the committee:
Brig. Gen. (Ret.) Karen Rankin, Chair, City of San Antonio
Veterans Affairs Commission
There being no other witnesses registered or responding to the
Chairman's call for public testimony, the Chairman closed public
testimony.
Chairman Shapleigh made closing remarks and announced the dates
of future hearings.
There being no further business, at 5:07 p.m. Chairman Shapleigh
moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of
the Chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.
______________________
Senator Eliot Shapleigh, Acting Chair
______________________
Kari McAdams, Clerk