Sacramento, CA – Senate Joint Resolution 19, authored by Sen. Tony Strickland (R-Moorpark) passed unanimously in the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee.

SJR 19 encourages the California Congressional delegation to help keep California military bases open if the U.S. Department of Defense goes forward with a new round of base closures. In the 2013 Budget, U.S. Department of Defense plans to ask Congress to approve two rounds of military base closures, the first in 2013 and another in 2015, through the Federal Base Realignment and Closure Commission program.

“Military bases across the state benefit all people in California, so we need to send a message to Congress to let them know just how important our military bases are,” Sen. Strickland said. “California’s diverse military bases are vital to national security, as well as California’s continued safety.”

“California’s military bases also provide a great economic benefit to their surrounding communities. They provide jobs to hundreds of thousands of service-members and civilians alike and help boost local small businesses,” Sen. Strickland added. “In my district alone, Naval Base Ventura County is the one of the largest employers and provides an estimated 19,000 jobs.”

“With the passage of SJR 19, it’s my hope Congress sees the importance of our military bases and does not move forward with President Obama’s proposal to cut funding for national security,” Sen. Strickland added.

Sen. Strickland has also sent a letter to Gov. Jerry Brown, asking him to authorize the creation of an unpaid, volunteer task force for the strategic purpose of preserving California’s military bases. Similar task forces were authorized in 1993 by Gov. Pete Wilson and in 2004 by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, but both have since expired.

SJR 19 now heads to the Senate Floor for a vote.

Sen. Strickland is available to the media for an interview or comments.

Tony Strickland represents California Senate District 19, which includes portions of Los Angeles, Ventura, and Santa Barbara counties.