Community, city leaders rally to save Shipyard

Directing harsh criticism toward the Navy and the White House, community members rallied Wednesday evening to protest the closure of the Long Beach Naval Shipyard.

"It's a stupid move in regard to national security and cost," said 39th district U.S. Rep. Ed Royce.

Royce, along with several other representatives who were unable to attend the meeting at the Long Beach Convention Center called in, expressing their support.

Appearing at the meeting was City of Long Beach Mayor Beverly O'Neill. Drawing cheers from shipyard workers, O'Neill said, "We're committed to this fight and we're going to win it."

According to a memo from O'Neill's office, the mayor is expected to release an economic impact study, which will report that the shipyard contributes approximately $757 million in annual spending and 10,100 jobs to the Southern California regional economy.

On Feb. 28 the Pentagon officially made a proposal to close the shipyard along with 32 other major military facilities. The installation's supporters have pledged an all-out battle to stop the shut-down.

President Bill Clinton has until July 15 to consider recommendations on proposed closures. However, approval of the Long Beach shut-down is expected.

The meeting, was sponsored by Save Our Shipyard. Founded in November 1985, S.O.S. organized in response to anticipated military cutbacks.

Bill Gurzi, S.O.S. chairman, said the objective of the meeting was to motivate community members to join in the fight. "This is an old-fashioned town-hall meeting- a pep-rally, if you will."

Half-way through the program, the thundering appearance of Long Beach's Junior Concert Band verified Gurzi's remarks.

Shipyard workers, the majority of the 300 people in attendance, clapped and marched along with the band, many of them union employees with over 20 years of service at the shipyard.

Juanita McDonald, U.S. Representative from the 55th district brought the audience to their feet with her promise to the president. "If you want to keep your job in Washington, we better keep our jobs in Long Beach."

Gurzi said that Wednesday's S.O.S. rally raised over $20,000, mostly from nearby cities, adding to the pot of approximately $25,000, which is to be used for the ensuing protest campaign.