A JOINT RESOLUTION recognizing the importance of military bases located in this state to all north carolinians and EXPRESSING THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY'S INTENT TO SUPPORT PROGRAMS AND STRATEGIES that prevent encroachment upon MILITARY installations, AS RECOMMENDED BY THE jOINT SELECT COMMITTEE ON MILITARY AFFAIRS.
Whereas, North Carolina is the home of Fort Bragg, and the XVIII Airborne Corps, with the 82nd Airborne Division as the Army's premier force to project power anywhere in the world on little or no notice; and
Whereas, Fort Bragg is the home of the U.S. Army Special Operations Command, the U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School, and of all Army Special Forces soldiers; and
Whereas, Pope Air Force Base and the 317th Airlift Wing play a vital role in our nation's defense by providing the means to deliver troops and equipment wherever needed in the world; and
Whereas, North Carolina is the home of Camp Lejeune, one of the nation's largest Marine Corps bases, and provides the training necessary to keep the Marines in a high state of readiness for any mission; and
Whereas, North Carolina is the home of Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, the base of an active air combat wing that can deploy worldwide on short notice and immediately generate combat power; and
Whereas, North Carolina is the home of the largest Marine Corps air station in the world, Cherry Point Marine Corps Air Station, and is the home of the 2d Marine Corps Aircraft Wing, the Naval Air Depot, and the Marine Corps Air Station at New River; and
Whereas, North Carolina is the home of several United States Coast Guard stations, including the United States Coast Guard Air Station at Elizabeth City, with missions that include search and rescue, international ice patrol, maritime law enforcement, aids to navigation, and environmental response, and
Whereas, North Carolina ranks high in the United States with 4.5 percent of the total military payroll, and that defense spending in the 2002 federal fiscal year in North Carolina was approximately $6.7 billion; and
Whereas, the military in North Carolina materially affects North Carolina's economy, generating approximately $18 billion per year, and the loss of any military presence in North Carolina would have a tremendous negative impact on jobs and tax revenues in the entire State of North Carolina; and
Whereas, both the State of North Carolina and conservation entities have a long and historic partnership with the federal government, with the goal of preserving and protecting areas needed by the military bases to conduct training and to maintain operational readiness; and
Whereas, in 1995, an innovative, first‑of‑its‑kind agreement with the Army was put into place that helped prevent urban sprawl and alleviate training area shortfalls near Fort Bragg; and
Whereas, a partnership with the Marine Corps has resulted in the purchase of a 2,500 acre tract of land, which borders Camp Lejeune on two sides, that had been slated for residential development; and
Whereas, a 38,000 acre tract that spans nine counties was purchased in the Onslow Bight, an important coastal plain landscape conservation area where Camp Lejeune is located; and
Whereas, land near Seymour Johnson Air Force Base was recently purchased through local government efforts, and a moratorium was placed on new development in the accident potential zone; and
Whereas, it is in the best interests of North Carolina and the federal government to continue the close relationships that have developed, and to continue to work together to provide for, and to expand, the military presence in North Carolina; and
Whereas, the North Carolina General Assembly, recognizing the importance of the military in North Carolina, created the North Carolina Advisory Commission on Military Affairs in 2001 with the purpose of advising the Governor and Secretary of Commerce on the existing military infrastructure in North Carolina, and to promote new military missions and economic opportunities for the State and its citizens; Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:
SECTION 1.  The General Assembly expresses its appreciation to the Department of Defense for the military bases and installations that are located in the State of North Carolina, and that are vital parts of the national defense of the United States. 
SECTION 2.  The General Assembly declares its full support for its military installations and acknowledges the important role of the military in North Carolina's economy.
SECTION 3.  The General Assembly expresses its intent to continue to support efforts designed to prevent encroachment upon military installations and to ensure that the military is fully able to train to accomplish its assigned missions.
SECTION 4.  The General Assembly states its commitment to take measures necessary to avoid any closure of military installations or the realignment of military missions that would have a negative impact on the State and its citizens.
SECTION 5.  The Secretary of State shall transmit a certified copy of this resolution to the elected representatives to the Congress of the United States from the State of North Carolina.
SECTION 6.  This resolution is effective upon ratification.