2015S0579-1 03/27/15
By: Taylor of Galveston S.R. No. 451
SENATE RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The Pentagon could realize significant savings by
relocating the United States Africa Command from Germany to
Ellington Field Joint Reserve Base in Houston; and
WHEREAS, When the Africa command was created in 2007, the
Department of Defense chose a temporary location in Stuttgart; it
intended to select a permanent headquarters in Africa, but set
this plan aside due to cost projections and the sensitivities of
African nations; and
WHEREAS, The Department of Defense conducted a study in
2012 that found maintaining the Africa command headquarters
stateside would cost $60 million to $70 million less per year;
although relocation would involve expense, this expense could be
recouped within two to six years; moreover, the relocation would
create as many as 4,300 additional jobs for United
States residents, and it would have an annual impact on the local
economy ranging from $350 million to $450 million; and
WHEREAS, Should the defense department decide to relocate
the United States Africa Command, the Ellington Field Joint
Reserve Base in Houston would be an ideal home for the
headquarters; the base features strong joint service military
value of active duty, reserve, and guard units from all five
United States armed services, some of which presently conduct
training and operational missions for the command; it is also
equipped to handle military aircraft, and the city boasts one of
the nation's most vibrant ports; moreover, the community is
exceptionally supportive of the military, and the Greater
Houston area has strong cultural, educational, medical, and
diplomatic ties with Africa; and
WHEREAS, The Government Accountability Office has
concluded that the relocation of the Africa command to the United
States would generate tremendous cost savings and economic
benefits, and Ellington Field Joint Reserve Base offers
advantages that would enhance the effectiveness of the
headquarters; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 84th
Legislature, hereby respectfully urge the United States Congress
to direct the Department of Defense to relocate the United States
Africa Command to Ellington Field Joint Reserve Base in Houston;
and, be it further
RESOLVED, That the secretary of the senate forward
official copies of this resolution to the president of the United
States, to the secretary of the Department of Defense, to the
president of the Senate and the speaker of the House of
Representatives of the United States Congress, and to all the
members of the Texas delegation to Congress with the request that
this resolution be entered in the Congressional Record as a
memorial to the Congress of the United States of America.