[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 174 (Tuesday, November 25, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Page S15961]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               HONORING OUR TROOPS AND LOCAL BROADCASTERS

  Mrs. LINCOLN. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize a program that 
provides an important service to the men and women serving in our 
military. With our Armed Forces deployed for extended tours of duty in 
both Iraq and Afghanistan, the pressures placed on family members left 
behind can be enormous. While the military is dedicated to taking care 
of its own, the need continues to escalate.
  Today, more than 140,000 troops are fighting the war on terrorism in 
Iraq, in Afghanistan, and around the world.
  Many of our brave men and women have now been deployed much longer 
than expected. Some active units served in Afghanistan, returned home 
for 6 months, and were immediately redeployed to Iraq
  Reservists are facing extended deployment as well. Arkansas 
reservists in the 39th Infantry Brigade, for instance, were recently 
called up for what could be a 1-year rotation in Iraq beginning early 
next year. In many cases, the sole breadwinner in a family is deployed, 
making it difficult for the families left behind to cope with medical 
bills or other unexpected expenses.
  Today, I would like to recognize an effort undertaken by local radio 
and television stations to help address these issues. The National 
Association of Broadcasters is leading its local television and radio 
stations in a partnership with the Armed Forces Relief Trust to raise 
funds for military families in need.
  By producing, distributing, and airing radio and television public 
service announcements, the NAB and its radio and television broadcast 
members are helping raise funds for those military families in need.
  Last year, the four emergency assistance programs representing the 
Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps distributed more than $109 
million in interest free loans and grants to military families. Now 
that the four programs have joined together into the one trust, and 
more importantly, now that the trust is receiving generous access to 
the airwaves to get out its message, they will undoubtedly be able to 
provide yet more assistance.
  All of us count on our service people who are far from home 
protecting us. Their families are enduring hardship enough in waiting 
for them to return. It is incumbent upon all of us to ensure their 
families do not want financially during this most difficult time. I 
would like to compliment the local radio and television stations that 
are involved in this effort. As small business people, they are 
dedicating a valuable resource--airtime--to a timely and important 
cause. I salute their efforts.

                          ____________________