FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                          July 19, 2005

Release M-53                         

HANNEMANN LAUDS BRAC PEARL HARBOR DECISION

(Washington, D.C.)—Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann today praised the decision by the nine-member Base Realignment and Closure Commission (BRAC) not to include Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard on the list of bases for potential closing or down-sizing.  The commission voted 5-4 to add Pearl Harbor, but 7 votes were needed for its inclusion.

            “This is a great victory for Honolulu,” Hannemann said.  “The battle to keep Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard off the BRAC list was a difficult one.  But I believe our persuasive arguments with several of the commissioners about the strategic importance of the shipyard helped to carry the day. The governor and our Congressional delegation did a great job.”

            Hannemann expressed his thanks to the 4 BRAC commissioners who voted to oppose the addtion of Pearl Harbor to the list, especially commissioners James Hansen and James Bilbray. 

            “I spoke personally with Commissioner Hansen before leaving for Washington,” Hannemann said, “and told him how important the shipyard is both militarily and economically for Honolulu. I know Congressman Neil Abercrombie also had a good discussion with him.  I also appreciate the efforts of both Senator Dan Akaka and Senator Dan Inouye, as well as my good friend, Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid for helping us convince commissioners that including Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard on the list was not the right thing to do.”

            Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard is a 112-acre facility that houses U.S. Navy and visiting ships for overhauls and repairs.  It is Honolulu’s largest industrial employer with 4,300 civilian employees and 800 military.

            “I also want to express my appreciation to the shipyard workers and their families who have been under a lot of stress in recent weeks,” Hannemann said.  “I was proud to represent them and their work here in our nation’s Capitol.”

            Hannemann also met today with U.S. Department of Labor Secretary Elaine Chao in his role as a member of the Department’s Advisory Committee on Apprenticeship. Hannemann discussed with the Secretary ways the apprenticeship program could be expanded for Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard and the City and County of Honolulu.

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For More Information:  Bill Brennan

                                      527-6928