MINUTES Thursday, October 3, 2002 10:00 a.m. Corpus Christi, 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 Thursday, October 3, 2002, in the Warren Theater, Texas A&M, Corpus Christi, Texas ***** MEMBERS PRESENT: MEMBERS ABSENT: Senator Eliot Shapleigh Senator Craig Estes Senator Troy Fraser Senator Carlos F. Truan Senator Leticia Van de Putte ***** The chair called the meeting to order at 10:12 a.m. The following business was transacted: Chairman Shapleigh welcomed everyone to the committee hearing and recognized two Representatives from the Texas House that were participating in the hearing, Representative Judy Hawley and Representative Gene Seaman. Representatives Hawley and Seaman gave opening remarks. Chairman Shapleigh then recognized special guests in the audience. Chairman Shapleigh requested everyone stand for the Presentation of the Colors by the Texas A&M ROTC Program. The Colors were presented and posted. Chairman Shapleigh led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance. Chairman Shapleigh then made a special presentation to Mr. Gary Swenchonis. Mr. Swenchonis lost his son, US Navy Fireman Gary Swenchonis, Jr., during the October 12, 2000 terrorist attack on the USS Cole. Mr. Swenchonis was presented with a flag and a certificate and was recognized for his sacrifice. Chairman Shapleigh also made a special presentation to Mr. & Mrs. Rogelio Santiago. Mr. & Mrs. Santiago lost their son, Petty Officer 3rd Class Ronchester "Ron" Santiago, during the October 12, 2002 terrorist attack on the USS Cole. Mr. & Mrs. Santiago were presented with a flag and a certificate and were recognized for their sacrifice. Chairman Shapleigh then gave an explanation of the Committee's charges and an overview of the military installations in Texas. He noted the importance of the military to the state and local economies and spoke about the upcoming Base Realignment and Closure Act (BRAC). The Chairman then invited the following person to provide an overview of installations in the Corpus Christi Bay Area Military Complex: Loyd Neal, Chairman, South Texas Military Facilities Task Force The witness provided written and oral testimony and responded to questions by the members of the Committee. There being no further questions for the witness, the Chair invited the following witness to provide testimony on issues relating to the Mine Warfare Center of Excellence and Naval Station Ingleside: The Honorable Judy Hawley, State Representative, Texas House of Representatives and Executive Director, San Patricio County Economic Development Corporation The witness provided oral testimony and responded to questions by the members of the Committee. There being no further questions for the witness, the Chair invited the following witness to provide testimony on issues related to Naval Air Station--Kingsville: Dick Messbarger, Member, NAS Kingsville Task Force The witness provided oral and written testimony and responded to questions by the members of the Committee. There being no further questions for the witness, the Chair invited the following witness to provide testimony on issues related to Naval Aviation Training and Naval Air Station--Corpus Christi: Philip R. Kruse, Member, South Texas Military Facilities Task Force The witness provided oral and written testimony and responded to questions by the members of the Committee. There being no further questions for the witness, the Chair invited the following witness to provide testimony on the proposed Texas highway routes and construction plans designed to enhance intrastate movement of military cargo and personnel to mobilization and deployment sites: Gary Bushell, Attorney & Consultant, Gulf Coast Strategic Highway Coalition The witness provided oral and written testimony and responded to questions by the members of the Committee. There being no further questions for the witness, the Chair invited the following witness to provide testimony on the status of implementation of HB 2125, relating to public school admission for military personnel and dependents: Sarah Crippen, Assistant Director of English Language Arts, Texas Education Agency The witness provided oral and written testimony and responded to questions by the members of the Committee. There being no further questions for the witness, the Chair invited the following witness to provided testimony on the impact of the current military mobilization on persons called to active duty and their families and to provide comments on state and federal statutes concerning guardsmen and make recommendations, if necessary: John Stanford, State Liaison, Adjutant General's Department The witness provided oral and written testimony and responded to questions by the members of the Committee. There being no further questions for the witness and no additional invited testimony, the Chair opened public testimony. The following witness provided public testimony on a proposal for a State Veteran's Home by the City of Taft: Florencio "Flo" P. Sauceda, City Manager, City of Taft The witness provided oral and written testimony and responded to questions by the members of the Committee. There being no further questions for the witness and no witnesses registered or responding to the Chairman's call for additional public testimony, the Chairman closed public testimony. Chairman Shapleigh made closing remarks. There being no further business, at 1:29 p.m. Chairman Shapleigh moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered. ______________________ Minutes Thursday, October 3, 2002 page 4 Senator Eliot Shapleigh, Chair ______________________ Kari McAdams, Clerk