While we in Congress retain a right to review and reject the final recommendations in total, the commission is charged with reviewing and amending each recommendation to ensure the use of correct data, an accurate and substantiated assessment of cost savings, and---most importantly recommendations that advance the tenets of "military value" as clearly prescribed in law.

Mr. Chairman, members, and staff of the Base Realignment and Closure Commission, the task you have before you is a difficult one, but essential to allow the Department of Defense to reduce their investment on unneeded facilities, thus freeing up resources for critical readiness requirements. You, and your colleagues who are not here today, are to be commended for the formidable challenge that you have assumed for the benefit of the American people and the men and women in uniform, the finest military in the world.