[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 131 (Friday, September 26, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Pages S10092-S10093]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

                                 ______
                                 

                           THE NATIONAL GUARD

 Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, as we are all well aware, sustained 
military operations around the world, coupled with declining numbers of 
active duty personnel, have required the Defense Department to rely 
more and more on the National Guard. Guard units and air assets have 
been called to active duty by the President and deployed throughout the 
world with increasing frequency. Serving directly with their active 
duty counterparts, National Guard units today are in every military 
theater. Theater commanders have continually stated that it would be a 
challenge to efficiently execute their operations without the Guard.
  Two weeks ago, I had the privilege of attending a parade in honor of 
Virginia National Guard soldiers who have been recalled to support 
Operation Joint Guard, the ongoing NATO mission in the former 
Yugoslavia. The unit is Company C, 3-116th Infantry Battalion from the 
29th Infantry Division and their mission will be to secure the base 
camp and Sava River bridge in Slavonski-Brod, Croatia. The 129 soldiers 
of this company will be deployed for up to 270 days. This is the first 
time an infantry unit has been mobilized under a Presidential callup 
for the Bosnia operation. I am very proud of this unit and all of the 
Commonwealth's National Guardsmen.
  With the expanded role of the National Guard, I personally support 
greater recognition of the National Guard chief. Guardsmen from the 
Commonwealth and across the United States require strong leadership 
which can make their concerns known to the active duty military and 
ensure that the Guard is ready to perform its important missions. As 
always, these citizen-soldiers have committed themselves to be ready on 
a moment's notice. They must have a leader of sufficient rank and 
stature to effectively advocate their cause.
  Recently, Senator Stevens delivered remarks to the National Guard 
Association on the role of the National Guard Bureau chief. Senator 
Stevens' remarks highlight the important issues facing the National 
Guard today and why it is necessary for their chief to receive a place 
at the table with his active duty counterparts. I am submitting Senator 
Stevens' remarks for the Record and I encourage my colleagues to take a 
moment and review his thoughtful comments.
  The remarks follow:

[[Page S10093]]

                     remarks of senator ted stevens

       Thank you for the recognition and honor you confer on me 
     today.
       The Harry S. Truman Award, unlike any other, reflects the 
     input of leaders from the 54 association chapters from every 
     corner of America.
       There is no organization with whom I have worked more 
     closely than the National Guard Association during my 17 
     years as chairman or ranking member of the Senate Defense 
     Appropriations Subcommittee.
       This award reflects the tutelage I received from a previous 
     recipient of this honor, my close friend and mentor, John 
     Stennis.
       The insight and wisdom of my great friend, compounded by my 
     own experience working with the Alaska National Guard, 
     founded my belief that the Guard serves as an essential 
     pillar of our national security.
       Over the years, we have worked to modernize during the 
     buildup led by President Reagan in the 1980's, and now 
     realign force structure during the 1990's.
       Our efforts reflect a determination to fulfill the vision 
     of our Nation's Founding Fathers--that our national defense 
     be maintained and preserved by citizen soldiers--by all 
     Americans.
       The National Guard, and the National Guard Association of 
     the United States, are the embodiment of that guiding 
     principle in our Constitution.
       Your conference here in Albuquerque serves to refresh, and 
     reforge, our mutual commitment to ensure the National Guard 
     grows in capability and stature within our national security 
     establishment.
       While the Guard faces some tough trials in the weeks and 
     months ahead, there is genuine reason for optimism that our 
     efforts will succeed.
       A major factor contributing to this optimism is the 
     bipartisan budget agreement, negotiated by my good friend, 
     Senator Pete Domenici, who is with us here today.
       This compact should give us 5 years of stability in defense 
     funding--we've not enjoyed these circumstances since the 
     early 1980's.
       With predictable spending levels, Secretary Bill Cohen and 
     the Joint Chiefs may plan and implement force realignment and 
     modernization plans.
       Our job now is to assure Guard participation in the 
     allocation of resources and to modernize the force as we 
     enter the 21st century.
       You have many real friends to turn to in this effort.
       We've just heard from one of our most important friends, 
     Joe Ralston.
       You don't need to hear from me how Joe feels about the 
     National Guard. Just ask Ed Baca, Jake Lestenkof, or Hugh 
     Cox.
       Secretary Cohen knows first hand what the Guard means to 
     all our States, and is a genuine ally in the Senate on Guard 
     issues--he listens with a sympathetic ear. You'll hear from 
     General Reimer tomorrow. You'll find him a true friend also.
       Your job, and mine, is to help these friends effectively 
     advocate the Guard's interests and priorities.
  Now, more than ever before, the National Guard must function as a 
total partner in the total force. We cannot permit the National Guard 
to struggle for resources--it needs the total support of the Army and 
Air Force.
  The Army and Air Force can only achieve their missions--our National 
Security missions--with the total participation and support of the 
National Guard. It's a two-way street, and our system simply won't work 
any other way.
  Recent missions in Bosnia, Southwest Asia, Haiti, and Korea make 
apparent this axiom.
  Each of you knows the extraordinary service performed by Air and Army 
National Guard units overseas. On my own visits to these forces, every 
CINC has extolled the performance, readiness, and dedication of the 
National Guard Forces assigned to their commands. That is the success 
story of our total force.
  While undertaking these military missions, the National Guard 
continues to serve its State role. Everyone of us here understands the 
unique status the Guard holds as an arm or our State governments. 
Whether responding to natural disasters, or managing the youth 
challenge program performing so successfully, the National Guard serves 
our communities every day.
  To ensure the representation of the National Guard at the highest 
levels of DOD, I authored an amendment sponsored by 48 other Senators. 
This legislation would change the rank, and role, of the Chief of the 
National Guard Bureau.
  That amendment passed the Senate without any objection, and awaits 
final resolution on the Defense authorization bill.
  We succeeded in passing this legislation in large part because of the 
work of the Guard, the association, and the adjutants general.
  The expanded role of the Guard, and its relative size within the 
military, should be reflected in an appropriate rank for the chief.
  Resolution of this issue must include a voice--and a seat at the 
table--for the National Guard, when the Secretary and the Joint Chiefs 
make force structure and resource decisions that impact the Guard.
  The details of my suggestion are yet to be resolved. Our goal is to 
assure that the National Guard leader is equal in rank and capability 
to the members of the Joint Chiefs.
  Achieving this priority is only meaningful if we improve and build on 
relations between the Army, the National Guard, and the Army Reserve.
  This initiative is meant to build bridges, and expand the dialog and 
understanding by Pentagon leaders of the Guard's needs and 
capabilities.
  If by doing so, we burn bridges behind us, we will achieve little in 
the end. We must achieve change--change that all parties can live with, 
and will commit to work together to achieve.
  We continue to need your support and active involvement--you will 
make the difference in the end. You and your force meet more Americans 
every day than all other military forces put together. You need to 
support adequate funding levels for all defense activities, including 
the Coast Guard.
  You need to tell the chamber of commerce, the Rotary, the Lions, the 
Kiwanis Clubs, and the PTA's what America needs is a ready defense 
force. You are part of that force.
  Again, let me thank you for honoring me today with the Truman Award. 
I am humbled by your recognition of my efforts.
  I will continue to be your partner, and advocate, in the years to 
come.

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