WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Sixth District Congressman Frank Lucas spoke out on the floor of the House of Representatives today against the Clinton Administration's possible proposal of more BRAC proceedings, which would result in the closing of more military bases across the country.

The text of Lucas' remarks is as follows:

" MR. SPEAKER, I met with a number of national guard members yesterday, and we discussed their crucial role in our nation's military. I found it slightly ironic that their visit coincided with news from the Pentagon that the administration is going to propose that we initiate another round of base closings.

"I can't help but make the connection that if the President had not circumvented the last round of base closings, the level of cuts that is being proposed would not be necessary. If the reports are true, the administration will be asking the individual branches, including the national guard, to substantially reduce their numbers, all to save money that could have been saved if BRAC had been followed by the president.

"The purpose of a BRAC is to depoliticize the process and allow objective outsiders to recommend which bases should be closed based on a number of objective criteria. This process worked well until the President signed the bill, but then ordered something quite different.

"Another BRAC? Mr. President, why don't you start by respecting the decisions forwarded by the last BRAC?"