Sacramento, CA – Senate Joint Resolution 19, authored by Sen. Tony Strickland (R-Moorpark) passed unanimously on the Senate floor this morning.

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

“I am against the deep defense cuts that are being proposed and will work hard to make sure California’s military bases remain strong fixtures in our state,” Sen. Strickland said.

“California’s military bases are an invaluable asset not only to the communities where they’re located, but to the state as a whole,” Sen. Strickland added. “Our military bases help ensure our continued safety through their strong national security presence and they provide much-needed benefits to our local economies.”

“In Ventura County alone, Naval Base Ventura County is the largest employer, providing over 17,000 jobs for hardworking Californians,” Sen. Strickland said. “I’m happy my colleagues on both sides of the aisle agree that we need to send a strong message to Congress to let them know just how important California’s diverse military bases are.”

In addition to SJR 19, 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 Assembly.

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.