SJ0059 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SJ0059 LRB097 20631 GRL 66479 r

SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, From the 19th century to the present, the Rock Island Arsenal has been a part of the economic and government service history of the Quad Cities; and

WHEREAS, From an employment peak of 18,467 during the height of World War II, the arsenal's workforce has shrunk to less than half that number; and

WHEREAS, The arsenal remains a major economic engine in the region, with more than 8,500 employees and more than 70 federal and commercial tenants; the arsenal also adds some $1 billion to the local economy and impacts 14,000 community jobs; and

WHEREAS, The Joint Manufacturing and Technology Center at the arsenal is one of the world's largest weapons manufacturing facilities; the arsenal and its employees have repeatedly proven that, for small-quantity orders and specialty jobs, it has the expertise, equipment, and dedication to the defense of the United States that cannot be equaled in private industry; and

WHEREAS, A reduction at the Rock Island Arsenal would not only threaten the local economy, but would also jeopardize the readiness of United States forces to quickly respond in the war on terror or in any future conflict; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING HEREIN, that we urge the President of the United States, the United States Congress, and the Secretary of the Department of Defense to protect the Rock Island Arsenal from any future reductions or other budget cuts; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this Resolution be delivered to the President of the United States, the Secretary of the United States Department of Defense, and the members of the Illinois congressional delegation.