[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 168 (Thursday, December 22, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2643]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




CONFERENCE REPORT ON H.R. 1815, NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR 
                            FISCAL YEAR 2006

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                               speech of

                        HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Sunday, December 18, 2005

  Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the conference 
report to the ``National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 
2006.''
  I am thrilled that this legislation includes provisions to provide 
retirement credit to the members of the National Guard serving on State 
duty who responded to the 9/11 attacks in New York and at the Pentagon.
  I, along with Representative King and other members of the New York 
delegation, introduced legislation earlier this year which would 
accomplish the same goal, and I am thankful that the committee has 
worked with us to correct this inequity.
  I especially would like to thank Chairman McHugh for his steadfast 
support of these provisions.
  My friend and colleague Representative King has been invaluable in 
this endeavor, and I thank him for his efforts.
  I also would like to commend Chairman Hunter, Ranking Member Skelton, 
Ranking Member Snyder, and their staffs for their work on this issue.
  Lastly, I would like to acknowledge Senator Clinton for her support 
and for introducing the companion legislation in the Senate.
  In the aftermath of 9/11, the National Guard responded to the call of 
duty heroically.
  While others were moving toward safety, the Guard moved into unknown 
dangers around Ground Zero.
  They did not know if another attack was coming, but they did not 
hesitate to respond. All they did was their selfless duty.
  For almost a year after 9/11, these National Guard heroes streamlined 
the movement of rescue personnel during the critical first phases of 
the response and they endured the toxic air conditions of Ground Zero 
with thousands of responders.
  However, the National Guard units that served in the disaster zones 
of New York after 9/11 did not receive Federal retirement credit, while 
the National Guard units that protected Federal sites like West Point 
are receiving Federal retirement credit.
  While protecting Federal sites was an important duty after 9/11, 
those who risked their lives at Ground Zero, in the most dangerous 
conditions anywhere in the country, deserve the same fair treatment.
  By including these provisions in this conference report, we are 
showing our gratitude to the brave men and women who responded on 
September 11th by giving them the retirement benefits to which they are 
entitled.
  I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.




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