[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 139 (Friday, September 8, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1745]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


    ON CONTINUED SUPPORT FOR THE DEFENSE DEPARTMENTS CIVIL-MILITARY 
                          COOPERATIVE PROGRAMS

                                 ______


                            HON. TIM JOHNSON

                            of south dakota

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 8, 1995
  Mr. JOHNSON of South Dakota. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my 
strong support for continued funding for the Civil-Military Cooperative 
Action Program [CMCAP] of the Office of Reserve Affairs at the 
Department of Defense, and to voice my strong opposition to the level 
of funding included for this important office in the House version of 
the fiscal year 1996 Department of Defense appropriations bill. 
Thankfully, the Senate chose to fund this Office at a level 
significantly higher than the funding included in the House bill and I 
plan to urge my colleagues in conference to accept the level of funding 
adopted by the Senate.
  CMCAP, which provides training opportunities for our military 
personnel and allocates surplus materials to States and local 
communities, was initially authorized by Congress in 1993 as a means of 
enhancing military readiness for the Reserves, while helping to address 
important domestic needs at the same time. As we continue downsizing 
and reorganizing our national defense, I cannot emphasize strongly 
enough the importance of appropriate reallocation of surplus materials 
which result from base closures both at home and abroad.
  The benefit of civil-military program cooperation can be readily seen 
in native American communities around the country and in my State of 
South Dakota. This year $6 million in excess equipment was distributed 
to 136 native American communities in 26 States. In South Dakota, much 
needed medical and construction equipment was delivered to communities 
on and off Indian reservations, including Rapid City, Eagle Butte, 
Sisseton, McLaughlin, Ft. Thompson, Flandreau, Lower Brule, Pine Ridge, 
Pierre, and Rosebud.
  Federal expenditures for social programs continue to exceed 
investments for economic growth in Indian country. I feel strongly that 
the role of the Federal Government must be to encourage tribal self-
sufficiency at every opportunity. I believe the Federal Government must 
prioritize programs which develop infrastructure on reservations and 
enhance economic growth for tribal communities.
  I have been contacted by tribal organizations in my State regarding a 
CMCAP project currently being developed to repair and refurbish 
substandard housing on the Oglala and Rosebud Sioux Indian 
reservations. The project, Operation Walking Shield, would also provide 
recreational fields for youth risk prevention programs, transport 
excess medical equipment and supplies to Indian health centers, and 
employ local labor to work with military personnel in this important 
community development effort. Without continued funding for civil-
military programs, Operation Walking Shield and other such projects 
critical to economic development in Indian communities will likely not 
proceed.
  As I stated previously, I plan to contact the House conferees and 
urge their acceptance of the Senate funding for the CMCAP. As we 
downsize our military, I feel strongly that adequate funding for the 
cooperative programs maintained by this Office is critical to ensuring 
that excess equipment and materials are distributed to communities in 
need as efficiently as possible.


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