[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 67 (Tuesday, May 20, 1997)]
[House]
[Page H2936]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  1998 DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION STRIPS CITIZEN SOLDIERS OF RIGHT TO PAID 
                             MILITARY LEAVE

  (Mr. GIBBONS asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to address an issue that 
affects all of our military Reserve and National Guard members who are 
Federal employees. The 1998 defense authorization bill proposes to take 
away the right of these citizen soldiers to earn their 15 days of paid 
military leave each year.
  Up to this point this has been a highly successful military leave 
policy for civil servants who serve in the Reserve and Guard. Why 
destroy that policy? Rather, this U.S. Government should set the 
example by supporting the Reserve and Guard forces. These brave men and 
women make up 40 percent of this Nation's armed services. Removing such 
incentives will significantly jeopardize the recruitment and retention 
of these fine service members, and reduce the number of personnel who 
will volunteer for operations.
  More importantly, Mr. Speaker, if we do not stop this proposal it 
will seriously jeopardize the safety of America, and the ultimate 
strength of our military forces and their ability to protect us.

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