[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 140 (Friday, September 30, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: September 30, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                   REMARKS ON THE CLOSING OF FORT ORD

                                 ______


                             HON. SAM FARR

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 30, 1994

  Mr. FARR of California. Mr. Speaker, there are perhaps few events in 
my district's history as momentous as the passing of Fort Ord. Not only 
does its closure today represent the end of a proud military era, but 
more importantly, it demonstrates a major economic shift on the central 
coast of California. From a military-based economy, this area is now 
well on its way to becoming an economy with education as its central 
theme.
  Of course, for many, this change has not come easy. And while there 
has been tremendous hardship, I am convinced that this hardship will 
yield tremendous opportunity. Already, we have seen the signs. The new 
California State University, Monterey Bay, for example, will usher in a 
major economic revival with hundreds of new jobs as well as heavy 
student and faculty spending. I am also confident that surrounding 
development will provide an enormous boost to the entire area.
  In fact, I am more certain than ever that upcoming activity at the 
Fort Ord site will quickly return our area to the prosperity it once 
knew. In so doing, it will also set the national standard for other 
communities around the country suffering a base closure.
  Already, many have taken notice. In Washington, the Federal 
Government has quickly seen that the changes at Fort Ord just make good 
fiscal sense. Designating the base as a national model for conversion, 
it has also shown its higher regard by committing $29 million to CSU's 
efforts in converting former barracks into dormitories and classrooms.
  I know this commitment will continue. It has been, and will continue 
to be my pleasure to see that it does.

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