85R13646 RMA-D
By: Paul, Miller, Gonzales of Williamson H.C.R. No. 87
CONCURRENT 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 AFRICOM 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, security, and the sensitivities of African
nations; and
WHEREAS, The Department of Defense conducted a study in 2012
that found maintaining AFRICOM headquarters stateside would cost
$60 million to $70 million less per year, and now those savings
would be even greater due to significant increases in Overseas Cost
of Living Allowances rates; although relocation would involve
expense, this expense could be recouped within two to six years;
moreover, the relocation would repatriate about 1,400 direct jobs
and create as many as 4,300 additional jobs for U.S. residents, and
it would have an annual impact on the local economy ranging from
$400 million to $500 million; and
WHEREAS, Should the defense department decide to relocate
AFRICOM, 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 U.S. armed services, some of which presently conduct
training and operational missions for AFRICOM; it is also equipped
to handle large military aircraft, and the city boasts one of the
nation's most vibrant ports, which handles 40 percent of all U.S.
trade with Africa; 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 AFRICOM 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 85th Legislature of the State of Texas
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 Texas secretary of state 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.