Principi to be nominee

WASHINGTON – President Bush plans to nominate former Veterans Affairs Secretary Anthony Principi to lead the independent commission charged with closing U.S. military bases this year, the White House announced Friday.

Principi, a vice president of drug manufacturer Pfizer Corp. and a decorated Vietnam War veteran, once served as a chief counsel for the Senate Armed Services Committee and Senate Veterans Affairs Committee. He also has been a top official with defense contractor Lockheed Martin.

Congress authorized the fifth round of Base Realignment and Closure last year. By March 15, the president must name the nine-member commission that will review a list of closures the Pentagon must propose by May.