Senator Kent Conrad | North Dakota

An Open Letter to the People of North Dakota

There is an old saying, “In union there is strength.” On June 22 and 23, the people of North Dakota must put these words into action. When the members of the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) Commission visit Grand Forks, we must wage a unified effort to convince them of the strength and value of both the Grand Forks Air Force Base and the 119th Fighter Wing in Fargo.

I encourage everyone from the Fargo and Grand Forks communities, as well as those from communities across the state, to welcome the BRAC Commissioners to North Dakota with open arms. We need to greet them at the airport on Wednesday, at the base, at the hotel and everywhere in between. On Thursday morning, the Chester Fritz Auditorium at the University of North Dakota should be packed to capacity for the BRAC hearing, with thousands of citizens showing their support for North Dakotas bases. This is an opportunity for the BRAC Commissioners to see and hear, firsthand, the strong, unified support for North Dakotas bases.

Working together, the congressional delegation, the Governor, and community leaders will mount a strong argument to ensure a lasting mission for Grand Forks Air Force Base and for the Happy Hooligans. Our presentation to the BRAC Commission is both compelling and convincing. We will highlight the stellar performance of both the 119th Fighter Wing and the 319th Air Refueling Wing and the vital role they play in our nations defense.

We will also use the hearing to highlight the fact that the Air Force has recommended future missions for both Fargo and Grand Forks involving unmanned aerial vehicles. The Air Force recommendation links our bases in Fargo and Grand Forks like never before. We will urge the Commission to endorse this new mission.

But after all our speeches, after all our presentations, the BRAC Commissioners still need to understand why these bases are so important to the people of Fargo and Grand Forks. And that is something that can only be demonstrated by the combined effort, energy and enthusiasm displayed by the people of the community.

I am extremely proud of North Dakotas air bases, and proud of the performance of the men and women who serve there. I know that you are proud of them too. So please join me, along with the rest of North Dakotas Congressional delegation, the Governor, and community leaders, on June 22 and 23, to show your support for Grand Forks Air Force Base and the 119th Fighter Wing in Fargo.

Sincerely,

KENT CONRAD
United States Senate

Details on events to welcome the BRAC Commissioners are forthcoming. The hearing will begin at 8:30 am on Thursday, June 23, at the Chester Fritz Auditorium at the University of North Dakota.


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An Open Letter to the People of North Dakota