SEQUESTRATION’S DRASTIC CONSEQUENCES IN GEORGIA AND HOW TO PREVENT THEM
Georgia Leaders and Military Experts Holding Press Call to Discuss Potential Dangers of Sequestration for Georgia & National Security and Identify Tangible Solutions
Atlanta GA/Washington DC – November 8, 2012 – Media Advisory – For Veterans’ Day, five military and political leaders, including Hephzibah’s own State Rep. Gloria Frazier (D-123) will discuss the dangers of sequestration to Georgia and potential budget solutions to strengthen American prosperity and national defense in 2013 and beyond.
WHAT: Telephone Press Conference
WHEN: Monday, November 12th at 10:30 AM EST
WHERE: 1-800-860-2442, Conference Title/Passcode: Press Call
WHY: The process of sequestration, voted into law by a bipartisan majority in both houses of U.S. Congress, would trigger across-the-board cuts in federally-supported programs including education, infrastructure, social programs and Pentagon spending. In the face of rising deficits and economic uncertainty, Georgia’s economy can no longer afford unchecked Pentagon spending while investments at home wither.
Key military leaders have stressed that reshaping the Pentagon budget to the levels offered by the 112th congress is the best way to address the needs of modern servicemen, servicewomen and military families in addition to preparing our country for 21st century priorities. Similarly, representatives on both sides of the aisle agree that smart, strategic reductions to the Pentagon budget will reinforce our economic security while increasing our economic competitiveness across the globe.
WHO: State Rep. Gloria Frazier (D-GA-123) will provide insight into sequestration’s impacts on Georgia’s business community and federally-supported programs. Frazier is a member of Georgia’s Public Safety and Homeland Security, Banks & Banking and Energy, Utilities and Telecommunications Committees. Fraizer is the spouse of a U.S. army veteran with 23 years of service and understands the impact on the military and military families in Georgia.
Col. William Hauser (ret. US Army) will discuss sequestration’s potential dangers for America’s national security and business community. Hauser is a 25-year Army veteran, former leader on developing security threats and arms control and former Director of Executive Development at Pfizer Inc.
Carlissa Carson (frm. US Army Reserve) will examine sequestration in the context of 21st century security threats. Carson is a former Army Intelligence Officer and Judge Advocate in the U.S. Army Reserve, Georgia Women’s Action for New Directions (WAND) Board Member and Regional Political Director for the Truman National Security project in Atlanta.
MSgt. Bob Farquhar (ret. US Air Force) will address the foundations of America’s strength on and off the battlefield and sequestration’s connection to nuclear weapons. Farquhar is a 24-year decorated veteran, resident of Bonaire, GA, and member of the Bulletin of Atomic Sciences and Women’s Action for New Directions (WAND).
Heather Hurlburt (moderator) will give perspective on the national political context for this debate over sequestration and Pentagon spending. Hurlburt is the executive director of the National Security Network (NSN), a former White House and State Department speechwriter and policy planning official and current member of the Sustainable Defense Task Force.
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The Center for Arms Control and Nonproliferation is a Washington-based non-profit think tank working to effectively reduce the number of nuclear weapons stockpiled across the globe, increase international nonproliferation programs targeted at preventing the further proliferation of nuclear weapons and potential for nuclear terrorism, prioritize U.S. military spending to address 21st century security threats and halt the proliferation of biological and chemical weapons. www.armscontrolcenter.org
Women’s Action for New Directions (WAND) is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering women to act politically to reduce violence and militarism, and redirect excessive military resources toward unmet human and environmental needs. WAND was founded in 1982, and consists of a 501-C3 WAND Education Fund, a 501-C4 WAND Inc. Action Center for members and chapters, WAND Political Action Committee, and the Women Legislator’s Lobby (WiLL) program. WAND is a recognized United Nations NGO. For more information, please visit www.wand.org.
The Women Legislators’ Lobby (WiLL) is a national, non-partisan network of women state legislators who work together to influence federal policy and budget priorities. In 2003, we founded Trailblazers, a network of former legislators whose contacts and influence continue to have an impact on national priorities and foreign policy issues. For more information, please visit www.willwand.org.
