Senator Kissel Supports Governor and Lawsuit Against BRAC

State Senator John A. Kissel (R-Enfield) today pledged support for Governor M. Jodi Rell’s decision to ask Attorney General Richard Blumenthal to file suit against Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and the Base Realignment and Closure Commission (BRAC). The suit, filed in U.S. District Court in Hartford today, asked that a judge block the panel from forwarding to the Pentagon its decision to relocate the 103 rd Air National Guard fighter wing at Bradley Airport in Windsor Locks, which Senator Kissel has represented since 1993.

“I stand fully behind Governor Rell and concur with her interpretation that as Commander in Chief of the Connecticut National Guard, the Department of Defense and the BRAC Commission need her permission to take any action regarding the 103 rd Fighter Wing,” said Senator Kissel. “During these times when homeland security is foremost on many people’s minds, it seems illogical to close this base. The servicemen and women of the 103 rd Fighter Wing have been instrumental in protecting our country for over 80 years and I fully support all efforts to fight to keep them right here in Connecticut.”

Senator Kissel was one of several area legislators who addressed a letter to BRAC Chairman Anthony J. Principi back in June that outlined several major flaws in the proposal to move the facility out of Bradley.

Senator Kissel is a Deputy Minority Leader and represents the seventh district communities of East Granby, Enfield, Granby, Somers, Suffield, Windsor, and Windsor Locks.