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HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolutions - RS-93-4 - 02/10/1993 - Great Lakes Navy Base supportRb-9 3-4 R E S O L U T I O N WHEREAS, it is our conviction that the Great Lakes Naval Training Center, the world's largest, can easily and economically meet the current and future training mission requirements for operational readiness of the Navy, and that the availability and condition of land, facilities and associated air space is superior to the other naval training centers, AND WHEREAS, Great Lakes has maximum ability to accomodate contingency mobili- zation and future total force requirements for Navy training, AND WHEREAS, Great Lakes has demonstrated cost effectiveness through superior training resulting in documented saving of lives and equipment in the Fleet, AND WHEREAS, the U.S. taxpayers would receive the highest return on their na- tional defense investment by retention and full utilization of the unique facilities at Great Lakes rather than Orlando or San Diego, AND WHEREAS, realignment of any Command from Great Lakes would have a signifi- cant adverse economic impact, and the departure of major commands or the closure of the base would have a devastating and irreparable economic impact on the already impoverished City of North Chicago and its predominantly minority popu- lation, and a massive negative effect on all of Northeastern Illinois and Southeastern Wisconsin, AND WHEREAS, the existing improvements to the communities' infrastructure will more than adequately support forces, missions and personnel, AND WHEREAS, retaining, and enlarging if needed, the facilities and missions at Great Lakes will have no adverse environmental impact, AND WHEREAS, Orlando, for example, with its potential wetlands problem and high cost of real estate prohibits acquiring adequate surge capability, AND WHEREAS, because a majority of Navy recruits come from the heartland of America, it is more cost effective to conduct their recruit training at Great Lakes because of its proximity to the transportation hub of America, Chicago's O'Hare International, AND WHEREAS Lake County, Illinois already has been significantly damaged, economically, by the closure of Fort Sheridan, less than ten miles from Great Lakes, AND WHEREAS, Illinois ranks 8th among states in the flow of tax dollars to the federal government and forty-fifth in return of Department of Defense dollars and has only one other sizable defense facility within its borders, AND WHEREAS, we believe the Secretary of Defense should consider the prudence of placing as many defense related installations as possible inland and out of range of most short range missiles which could be launched from sea or hostile territory by enemies or terrorists, NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City of McHenry proclaim its solid support of efforts to urge military and civilian officials and the Base Realignment and Closure Commission to retain and fully utilize the facilities at Great Lakes, Illinois, AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City of__McHenry urge its citizens, other taxing bodies, civic organizations, and businesses to support the Navy's presence at Great Lakes and continue to laud the excellent spirit of community volunteerism which Navy personnel exhibit, thus enriching our society, AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Navy be reminded that many of Great Lakes military and civilian personnel enjoy the unique choice of living in either of two wonderfully diverse states, Illinois and Wisconsin. PASSED and APPROVED this loth day of February, 1993 -A" L'/'A ayor Attest: O City Clerk