Juneau -- The Alaska House of Representatives Monday unanimously passed House Joint Resolution 21, which asks the Federal Government to reform the selection and evaluation criteria used in any future military base closure actions.

"Alaska has been seriously short-changed in previous rounds of Base Realignment And Closure (BRAC) actions," said Representative Eldon Mulder (R-Anchorage), sponsor of HJR 21. "Because each of the services was permitted to establish its own criteria, strategic location and Army-Air Force compatibility - our bases' strongest points - have not been fully recognized while their high cost in relation to other bases - their weakest point - have been overemphasized."

HJR 21 asks the President, the Secretary of Defense, and Congress to establish Joint Cross Service Groups, to study the issues which will shape the Armed Forces in the 21st Century. These Joint Cross Service Groups would then develop new evaluation and selection criteria for future BRAC Commissions.

HJR 21 now moves to the Senate for consideration.

Broadcasters note: Audio comments are available on the Majority Actuality line, 1-800-478-6540
= Eldon Mulder, 86 K = Eldon Mulder, 55 K