[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 29 (Wednesday, March 6, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E283]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  H.R. 1645 AND THE FLOODING IN OREGON

                                 ______


                             HON. JIM BUNN

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, March 6, 1996

  Mr. BUNN of Oregon. Mr. Speaker, with the recent floods in the 
Pacific Northwest, one of the things that became clear to me is that 
there are times when neighbors doing everything they can to help their 
neighbors just is not enough. These are the times where people need 
help that only the State and Federal governments can provide, whether 
that be through the Federal Emergency Management Agency [FEMA] or the 
National Guard, or any other Government program designed to help those 
in the most need. In this case, I was lucky enough to witness first-
hand the National Guard in Oregon and the important role in saving 
lives and property. I am very thankful for having that opportunity.
  Immediately after the rains, I observed the flood-damaged areas while 
riding in a National Guard helicopter. During that ride, we found a 
family stranded. The National Guard used the helicopter to rescue the 
family and take them to safety. It is actions like this, that happened 
all across the flooded area, that show how important the Oregon 
National Guard is to our State. At this time, I would like to submit 
for the Record comments provided by Major General Rees of the Oregon 
National Guard which further illustrate the need for the National 
Guard.

         Headquarters, Oregon National Guard, Office of the 
           Adjutant General,
                                     Salem, OR, February 26, 1996.
     Maj. Gen. Edward J. Philbin,
     Executive Director, National Guard Association of the United 
         States, Washington, DC.
       Dear Ed: Knowing the keen interest you and the leadership 
     of the NGAUS have shown in regard to H.R. 1646, I have 
     decided to write this letter to inform you of our experiences 
     in the recent traumatic flooding in Oregon.
       I am proud to say that the men and women of the Oregon 
     National guard, Army and Air, responded magnificently. A 
     total of over 1,200 individuals responded, reaching a peak of 
     750 on duty at one time.
       In a similar flooding in 1964 over 70 lives were lost. In 
     1996, only 4 perished. Technological improvements such as 
     satellite weather, cell phones, et al, played a significant 
     part. However, a modernized National Guard played a huge role 
     in that ``golden'' 24 hours when everyone must get it right 
     or fail. Mud slides and high water made our highway system a 
     shambles. National Guardsmen in many different modes but 
     primarily in modernized aircraft or aircraft with aircrews 
     equipped with night vision devices and thermal imagers 
     executed 68 persons from extremely perilous circumstances.
       To those who say that the Guard is in too many communities 
     and needs to reduce, let me say that we would have failed if 
     we had been concentrated only in mega-armories in 
     metropolitan areas. To those who say that we can share 
     resources with other components, let me say thank you, but I 
     need dual-missioned and highly functional units available at 
     a moment's notice and under the Governor's control.
       Geographic dispersal, community involvement, familiarity 
     with municipal government, the right mix of modernized 
     capabilities, and unity of command is what the people of 
     Oregon needed and got in their time or peril.
       Only the National Guard can deliver that support. I fear 
     that H.R. 1646 may create some false sense that the Army 
     Reserve will ride to the rescue in a dire local emergency in 
     lieu of a diminished National Guard.
       Additionally, I must tell you of the support I received 
     from fellow TAG's and the National Guard Bureau. In the 
     response process, the California National Guard put a C-130 
     with 240,000 sand bags in to Portland Air National Guard base 
     within 6 hours of the request. In the recovery phase, 
     California, Utah, and Washington put units on stand-by 
     (primarily ribbon-bridge companies and water purification 
     units). This was all done without an interstate compact 
     because we made it work without a compact. However, please do 
     not diminish your advocacy of the national compact. Many 
     important questions such as liability and insurance need to 
     be addressed systematically and not on the tarmac with each 
     event.
       Finally, I can say that the foresight shown by previous 
     Oregon Adjutants General in selecting force structure paid 
     great dividends. At the heart of our operation was the 41st 
     Brigade and 116th Brigade combat units with their inherent 
     command, control, and communications. Their Table of 
     Organization and Equipment support units of engineer, 
     medical, and MP's were supplemented by force multipliers from 
     echelon above division ARNG aviation, engineers, and 
     transportation units and ANG support units. (I am also 
     pleased to tell you that critical parts for our CH-47D 
     aircraft were delivered ``just in time'' by our OSA ANG C-
     26.) A truly balanced force of combat, combat support, and 
     combat service support units made the day.
       Keep up the fight, we need an informed approach on this 
     issue, not a quick legislative enactment based on an 
     anecdote.
           Best regards,

                                              Raymond F. Rees,

                                             Major General, OR NG,
     Adjutant General.

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