Jan. 14, 2005

Gov. Perry Announces Enhanced Defense Language Program for Goodfellow AFB

New Arabic Language Program at Angelo State University Would Prepare Soldiers for Deployment

AUSTIN - Gov. Rick Perry today announced his commitment to work with the legislature to fund and create a new Arabic language degree program at Angelo State University (ASU) that will directly benefit the U. S. Department of Defense’s Defense Language Institute at Goodfellow Air Force Base in San Angelo.

Perry said the creation of the degree program would be contingent upon the Department of Defense (DOD) enhancing its commitment at Goodfellow Air Force Base and is similar in concept to the proposal Perry made to the DOD with regards to Ft. Hood and Ft. Bliss that resulted in the transfer of 8,800 additional troops being stationed at those bases.

“Goodfellow Air Force Base is the perfect place for our soldiers to master the language skills that will be needed for future missions,” Perry said. “If the DOD will commit to enhancing the Defense Language Institute at Goodfellow, the state of Texas is ready to do its part by creating a new Arabic language program at ASU that can help train our men and women in uniform.”

Perry’s proposal calls for the state to develop and fund a new degree program at ASU to provide regional and cultural education to linguists training at the Defense Language Institute. The new resources at ASU could also provide readily available capacity for contract linguistic support, Perry noted in a letter to Undersecretary of Defense David Chu. ASU is ideally suited to serve as a host site for the distance learning capabilities currently sought by the DLI because of ASU’s relative proximity to Fort. Hood and Fort Bliss, he added.

“Texas’ commitment to the U. S. Military effort and our troops is unparalleled,” Perry said.

Perry noted that last year, Texas committed more than $36 million in infrastructure improvements at Fort Hood and Fort Bliss if the DOD enhanced missions and increased capacity at those two bases. Shortly after those proposals were made, DOD announced that additional missions and 8,800 additional troops were being moved to those military bases. Perry has also made a similar proposal on behalf of the Red River Army Depot in Texarkana.

“Goodfellow AFB is also ideally located to serve Fort Hood and Fort Bliss with language and cultural knowledge training, both of which are becoming increasingly necessary for our soldiers as they prepare for deployment,” Perry said. “The bottom line is that Texas is prepared to take unprecedented steps to keep our bases open and provide security for America.”

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and the Texas State University Board of Regents have been notified of the governor’s proposal.

In anticipation of the 2005 BRAC, Perry and state leaders have adopted a proactive policy to promote and enhance Texas military installations, the communities that surround them and the military families who call Texas home. In addition to personal visits to top military officials at the Pentagon, Gov. Perry and the Texas Legislature have taken numerous steps to enhance the military values of Texas installations, including:

Creation of the Texas Military Preparedness Commission (TMPC), a nine member group of community leaders from across Texas responsible for oversight, planning and implementation of all military related state programs. Commission includes representation of Sen. Hutchison’s and Sen. Cornyn’s Office.
Creation of the Texas Military Value Fund, a $250 million low-interest, revolving loan fund that can be used by military communities for economic development or needed infrastructure improvements that enhance the military value of installations.
Provision of education benefits that allow military families to enroll in state supported colleges and universities at state resident tuition rates and to retain student status at the same rates, even if the military member is transferred out of state.
Legislation mandating discounted electrical utility rates for all military installations to lower base operating costs.
Directives that state agencies give priority to military leaders on issues such as condition of roadway deployment routes, quality of life and environmental compliance issues.

“The majority of our bases are home to multiple branches of the U.S. military, many with excess capacity that can accept new missions as well as reassignment of new military units from overseas or other locations,” Perry said. “Texas has taken good care of its ports, rail and roadway systems, and airports that can accommodate rapid mobilization and deployment requirements. Additionally, Texas’ strategic geographic location is critical to United States homeland security efforts.”

Perry and members of the TMPC continue to work with representatives from the state’s other military communities in identifying how the state can help them in the BRAC process.