MINUTES

 

SENATE COMMITTEE ON VETERAN AFFAIRS & MILITARY INSTALLATIONS

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

9:00 a.m.

University of Texas at El Paso

 

*****

 

 

 

Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule 11.18, a public hearing of the Senate Committee on Veteran Affairs & Military Installations was held on Tuesday, August 24, 2010, at the University of Texas at El Paso.

 

*****

 

MEMBERS PRESENT:		MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Leticia Van de Putte Senator Jeff Wentworth Senator Brian Birdwell Senator Wendy Davis Senator Eliot Shapleigh		Senator Craig Estes

 

*****

 

The chair called the meeting to order at 9:17 a.m.  There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted: 

 

The chair recognized Fort Bliss Garrison Commander, Colonel Joseph Simonelli, to lead the committee in the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

Senator Van de Putte moved adoption of the minutes from the previous hearing held on June 17, 2010; with Senator Wentworth and Senator Birdwell abstaining from the vote, it was so ordered.

 

The chair recognized and welcomed Representative Joseph Moody to the hearing.

 

The chair laid out interim charge 9, monitor the implementation of legislation addressed by the Senate Committee of Veteran Affairs and Military Installations, 81st Legislature, Regular and Called Sessions, and make recommendations for any legislation needed to improve, enhance, and/or complete implementation.  The Committee specifically reviewed the following:

 

Monitor and analyze the closure process for the following installations and communicate with district Senators and communities: Naval Station Ingleside; Brooks City-Base, San Antonio; and Lone Star Army Ammunition Plane.  The chair recognized the following persons to provide invited testimony (see attached witness list).

 

Monitor and analyze the realignment of the various installations across the state, including but not limited to, Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Fort Bliss in El Paso, and Red River Army Depot in Texarkana.  The chair recognized the following persons to provide invited testimony (see attached witness list).

 

The chair recognized and welcomed Representative Marisa Marquez to the hearing.

 

Witnesses providing public testimony are shown on the attached list.

 

At 1:10 p.m. Senator Shapleigh assumed the chair.

 

The chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

There being no further business, at 1:20 p.m. Senator Shapleigh moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair.  Without objection, it was so ordered.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

_____________________________

Senator Leticia Van de Putte, Chair

 

 

_____________________________

Felicia Wright, Clerk