[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 40 (Wednesday, March 12, 2003)]
[House]
[Page H1781]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               INDIANA'S NATIONAL GUARDSMEN AND RESERVES

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Hill) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. HILL. Mr. Speaker, our Reserves make up more than half of the 
Armed Services. Clearly, they are a key part of our national defense. 
As of today, more than 175,000 National Guardsmen and Reservists from 
all over our country have been called to active duty. Much has been 
demanded of our National Guardsmen and Reservists since September of 
2001, and much more will surely be demanded of them as we move forward, 
facing new threats, new enemies, and new challenges.
  These men and women are involved in military operations ranging from 
peacekeeping and humanitarian relief to homeland defense and active 
combat. Every day they work side-by-side with those on active duty 
around the world protecting Americans at home and abroad. It is 
important to remember that these men and women, in answering their call 
to duty, have left behind spouses, children, parents, friends and jobs. 
Nearly every community in every State has been affected.
  One such community happens to be in my district, in Dubois County, 
Indiana. It is the folks of Jasper who know firsthand about the 
commitment of these young people to our country. Therefore, I am here 
on the floor today to commend the service and sacrifice of the men and 
women of Indiana's 1st Battalion and 152nd Infantry. These National 
Guardsmen, known as ``Predators,'' come from not only Jasper but from 
many other towns in southern Indiana.
  This battalion has a rich 150-year history. They defended the Union 
in the Civil War, they fought alongside our European allies in both 
World Wars, and now these Hoosier soldiers have once again answered the 
call of duty in a time of need. Nearly 650 of Jasper's finest are in 
Kuwait, and an additional 140 are preparing to depart.
  Only one other National Guard unit in the country, also from Indiana, 
has sent more troops to Kuwait. The Jasper soldiers are also a part of 
one of the Nation's 15 elite reserve units. These elite units receive 
specialized training to ensure that they are ready to move rapidly to a 
war zone when needed.
  I am proud that these men and women work to both protect the State of 
Indiana and, when asked, to defend the national security interests of 
the United States.

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