[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 139 (Friday, September 8, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1749]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


              THE ARMY PUBLICATION CENTER IN BALTIMORE, MD

                                 ______


                      HON. ROBERT L. EHRLICH, JR.

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 8, 1995
  Mr. EHRLICH. Mr. Speaker, House Joint Resolution 102, the 
recommendation to disapprove of the BRAC list, places me--like many of 
my colleagues--in the difficult position of supporting an important 
process, which I respect, while disapproving the circumstances and 
final decision involving the closure of the Army Publications Center in 
Baltimore, MD. It is easy to understand why the concept of the BRAC 
Commission was designed to allow an independent body to render 
decisions that Congress must completely accept or reject. I echo many 
of my colleagues who have praised the BRAC process, while disapproving 
of closing specific bases. However, as a legislator that prefers to 
deal with the facts, let me make the following observations:
  The Army Publications Center falls below the BRAC threshold and does 
not need the Commission's approval or disapproval for closure. Simply 
stated, the Publications Center did not belong on the BRAC list.
  When it came time for voting, the Commission based its decision on 
the Army's erroneous justifications and inaccurate statements. The Army 
supplied the commissioners with misleading data which the Publication 
Center and I consistently refuted. In the end, the Army, so determined 
to close the Baltimore Center and consolidate operations to St. Louis, 
convinced enough commissioners this highly technological, extremely 
efficient center located in Middle River, MD, was in need of closure.
  When my base realized it was slated for closure, the employees did 
not criticize or complain. Instead, they offered real solutions to 
achieve true savings for the Department of Defense while increasing 
military readiness. They Army, however, would not consider this 
commonsense approach of evaluating and consolidating all DOD 
publications centers.
  Summarily, I reject the argument that the Baltimore Publications 
Center, winner of Vice President Gore's hammer award and the Army's 
communities of excellence award, is a base worthy of such closure. This 
superior center, with its hardworking employees, served our troops with 
pride during the Persian Gulf war. A center, such as the one located in 
Baltimore, should be judged on its merits, not Washington politics. So 
I find myself in the unenviable position of voting against this 
resolution, but with serious reservations and feelings of 
disappointment. Disappointments for the employees of the Baltimore 
Center that worked tirelessly for something they believed in and 
disappointment in a process where facts and individual merit should 
have carried the day.


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