[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 126 (Tuesday, August 1, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1577]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


     CONGRATULATIONS TO NCOA IN CELEBRATING ITS 35-YEAR ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______


                             HON. BOB STUMP

                               of arizona

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, August 1, 1995
  Mr. STUMP. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Non-
Commissioned Officers Association of the United States of America 
[NCOA] in celebrating its 35-year anniversary. I have enjoyed working 
with the members of the NCOA and wish them the very best in the years 
to come. I want to share with my colleagues the following article which 
chronicles the history of the association:
 NCOA Celebrates 35 Years of Service to Military Personnel, Veterans, 
                              and Retirees

       San Antonio, TX, July 29, 1995.--In 1960, several retired 
     U.S. servicemembers founded the Non-Commissioned Officers 
     Association (NCOA) as a vehicle for enlisted veterans and 
     military retirees to discuss military issues. Today, the San 
     Antonio-based association has members around the world and is 
     regarded as one of the most influential military 
     organizations in America.
       ``NCOA's lobbyists have successfully defended military and 
     veterans entitlements while striving to improve the quality 
     of life for enlisted personnel and their families,'' says 
     NCOA President Charles R. Jackson, MCPO, USN (Ret). 
     ``Additionally, NCOA members, located on nearly every 
     military installation in the U.S. and overseas, have made 
     lasting contributions to their communities.''
       Thirty-five years ago, Army Sergeant Major Orville L. 
     Vickers broadened the scope of the original vision of NCOA. 
     SGM Vickers included active duty enlisteds from all five 
     branches in the organizational composition. The new 
     association, SGM Vickers declared, would have four primary 
     purposes: fraternal, social, educational and patriotic. It 
     would also provide some commercial benefits and employment 
     services.
       On September 20, 1960, just three days after NCOA's charter 
     was issued by the state of Texas, SGM Vickers officially 
     created NCOA. As the Association's first president, SGM 
     Vickers paid his $12 membership dues and the dues of four 
     NCOs who would form the board of directors. He also deposited 
     $100 into NCOA's brand-new bank account.
       Membership grew slowly for the first year or two, and was 
     confined primarily to the San Antonio area. But within just a 
     few years, the word got out about NCOA and the Association 
     began to build a sizable membership throughout the U.S. and 
     the world.
       The 1960s was a period of growth and self-examination for 
     NCOA. Emphasis was placed on public relations, membership 
     recruitment and an exploration of which goals and issues the 
     Association should pursue.
       By the 1970s, NCOA had taken its place as a leading 
     advocate of personnel issues pertaining to active duty 
     military, veterans and retirees. The Association's lobbyists 
     began appearing before congressional committees, defending 
     endangered benefits and supporting progressive programs.
       During the 1980's, the Association's membership and 
     influence grew dramatically. NCOA members were now all around 
     the world, in more than 200 chapters. In Washington, D.C., 
     NCOA lobbyists had become well known. Based on their list of 
     legislative achievements, NCOA had earned the respect of 
     congressmen and senators. Perhaps one of their greatest 
     accomplishments came in the mid-1980s, when President Ronald 
     Reagan signed a bill (that had been passed unanimously by 
     both houses of Congress) that granted a federal charter to 
     NCOA. NCOA's federal charter was at that time only the 79th 
     authorized by the U.S. Congress.
       Today, NCOA has members and chapters worldwide. It employs 
     a full-time team of registered lobbyists in Washington and 
     provides a national network of service centers. NCOA's job 
     placement assistance and veteran service programs have proven 
     to be valuable assets to its members. Through the 
     Association's Certified Merchant Program, members save 
     dollars through consumer benefits and discounts.
       NCOA membership encompasses the entire enlisted force--
     active duty, reservists, National Guardsmen, veterans and 
     retirees from all branches of the U.S. armed services. 
     Moreover, NCOA has committed itself to improving the lives of 
     others. For instance, chapter members continue to support 
     causes such as Special Olympics, Muscular Dystrophy 
     Association, the NCOA Medical Trust Fund, the NCOA 
     Scholarship Fund and the NCOA Disaster Relief Fund.
       ``NCOA certainly has come a long way in just three and one-
     half decades,'' says Jackson. ``And we have lived up to our 
     motto, `Strength in Unity,' by fighting for servicemembers' 
     benefits, helping them with problems, supporting important 
     programs and providing unparalleled camaraderie. 
     Simultaneously, through our commitment to benevolent acts, we 
     have made a significant contribution to the civilian 
     community,'' Jackson adds. ``NCOA also remains the only 
     national organization exclusively dedicated to representing 
     enlisted servicemembers of all branches of the military.''
       NCOA's legislative highlights through the years:
       In the 1970s, NCOA was:
       The only military association to appear before the Veterans 
     Affairs Committee to seek increases in veterans' compensation 
     and DIC rates.
       The first military association to appear before the House 
     Budget Committee on behalf of military personnel (to seek 
     increased sea pay).
       One of only two military/veterans organizations testifying 
     in opposition to law that barred persons in receipt of 
     military retired pay from collecting unemployment 
     compensation.
       The first military association to suggest and testify for 
     the opening of individual retirement accounts to active duty 
     personnel, which later became law.
       The first organization to seek a new GI Education Bill for 
     members of the Armed Forces. A bill authored by NCOA was the 
     first of its kind to be introduced in 1979 in Congress.
       The only military association actively supporting increases 
     in veterans' burial allowances, which subsequently became 
     law.
       In the 1980s, NCOA was:
       Successfully recommended a 17 percent targeted pay raise 
     for noncommissioned and petty officers in 1981.
       Instrumental in fighting against subsequent military pay 
     reductions and helping attain pay raises.
       Influential in getting the Coast Guard's operating budget 
     raised.
       The first military association to provide a network of 
     accredited Veterans Services Officers (VSOs) outside the 
     nation's capital.
       The first organization to open a veterans service office on 
     a military installation.
       The first military association to present its veterans 
     affairs goals to a congressional panel.
       Instrumental in preserving reemployment rights and retired 
     pay eligibility for federal civilian employees who perform 
     extended reserve duty in the Armed Forces.
       A major player in getting the Senate to accept an increase 
     in coverage for participants in Servicemen's Government Life 
     Insurance (SGLI) and Veterans' Government Life Insurance 
     (VGLI).
       In the 1990s, NCOA has:
       Successfully fought for enlisted widows to receive benefits 
     equal to officers' widows under the Dependency and Indemnity 
     Compensation program.
       Helped persuade Congress to expand the DoD family dental 
     plan.
       Successfully pursued legislation that protects retirement 
     benefits for NCOs and POs who have completed 18 years of 
     service, thus extending to enlisteds a benefit previously 
     enjoyed only by officers.
       Requested and received the introduction of the first 
     enlisted involuntary separation pay proposals considered by 
     Congress, which subsequently became law.
       Supported the subsequent enactment of voluntary separation 
     pay for enlisted servicemembers and was successful in efforts 
     to have these benefits extended to the Coast Guard, National 
     Guard and military reserves.
       Supported the creation of mail-order pharmacies and health 
     care options to serve retirees at base closure sites.
       Successfully supported the creation of the Troops to 
     Teachers and the Leadership Employment for Armed Services 
     Personnel (LEAP) programs to assist veterans and retirees in 
     gaining employment.
     

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