Dole, state representatives meet with BRAC deputy director
By Turner Walston
Published in News on February 14, 2005 1:59 PM
WASHINGTON -- A delegation of North Carolina officials were to meet today with Phil Grone, the deputy undersecretary of Defense for installations and environment. Grone oversees the Base Realignment and Closure process and is "a key decision-maker," according to Sen. Elizabeth Dole, who announced plans for the meeting.
The purpose of today's meeting was to underscore, "just how strongly North Carolina leadership is committed to our military," Sen. Dole said.
"We hope to build on the long history of support to strengthen the future of our installations. As the BRAC dates get closer, we hope to discuss and underscore what we've been stressing for some time now," Mrs. Dole said.
Mrs. Dole said fellow North Carolina Sen. Richard Burr, Lt. Gov. Beverly Perdue, and Congressmen Walter Jones and G.K. Butterfield would also participate in the meeting. The delegation primarily represents areas in North Carolina where the bases are located.
The two congressmen represent areas where bases, including Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, are located. Ms. Perdue heads the state's efforts to maintain its bases.