[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 126 (Thursday, August 2, 2007)]
[Senate]
[Page S10782]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 RECOGNIZING THE ARMY VETERINARY CORPS

  Mr. ALLARD. Mr. President, today I wish to recognize the hard 
work and meritorious sacrifice of the Army Veterinary Corps. Their 
efforts support the global war on terrorism by protecting not only the 
military men and women serving our country, but our armed forces' 
animals as well.
  The Army Veterinary Corps was formally established in 1916. However, 
the need for a military veterinary service was recognized as far back 
as the Revolutionary War. George Washington knew that if the Army used 
horses, it needed farriers as well. The program continued through the 
19th century and when the Civil War began, the War Department issued 
orders that provided each cavalry regiment with a veterinary surgeon. 
As early as the 1890s, army veterinarians were sought to inspect meat, 
poultry and dairy products destined for the frontier posts.
  Veterinary officers were first commissioned following the passage of 
the National Defense Act of June 3, 1916, and the Army Veterinary Corps 
became a reality. While providing care to the military's working 
animals would be part of the Army veterinarian's function, food safety 
and regulation was a primary mission upon the Army Veterinary Corps 
creation.
  After the start of World War I, veterinarians within the ranks of the 
Army rose from 57 to 2,313 in just 18 months. Since World War I, the 
Veterinary Corps has remained an essential asset to our Nation's 
military by ensuring the health of both our animals and troops. The Air 
Force formed a veterinary service in 1949 as well, but in 1979, 
Congress directed changes to Department of Defense's veterinary 
missions and in 1980 the Army became DOD's Executive Agent for 
veterinary services.
  Today the mission of the Army Veterinary Corps includes maintaining 
food safety and defense, animal medicine, and medical research support. 
Part of this mission is protecting the food of deployed soldiers, 
sailors, airmen and marines. In the global war on terrorism, more than 
200 U.S. Army veterinarians have deployed in support of our Nation's 
efforts. The threat of BSE, the spinach recall due to pathogenic E. 
coli, and the ongoing pet food recall are just a few examples that 
illustrate the necessity of having robust food safety programs 
throughout DOD. Army veterinary service personnel audit more than 3,800 
food producers in more than 80 countries annually to ensure safe food 
for service members and beneficiaries. Approximately 75 percent of 
emerging pathogens are zoonotic, meaning they are shared by both 
animals and man, such as avian influenza.
  Army veterinarians have actively contributed to military and 
interagency planning processes as well. They recently participated in 
the development of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Avian Influenza 
Playbook in support of the National Response Plan. Veterinary personnel 
are also an essential contributor in overseas avian influenza testing 
and surveillance programs.
  The Army Veterinary Corps executes programs to test for, monitor and 
control other emerging diseases, like West Nile Virus, numerous food 
borne diseases, certain parasitic infections, and rabies. Army 
veterinarians direct animal medicine programs that protect both 
military members and their pets. In the same role, they also provide 
veterinary medical care for the Government-owned and contractor 
military working dogs which detect explosives, weapons and other 
devices. These animals help to literally take these weapons out of the 
hands of terrorists and insurgents.
  Here at home, military veterinary supervision of operational ration 
assembly plants, supply and distribution points, ports, and other types 
of subsistence operations are critical to ensuring safe, wholesome food 
for our soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines, and their family members. 
The service provided by the Army Veterinary Corps remains an 
increasingly vital component of our homeland defense.
  There are nearly 700 veterinarians serving on active duty, Army 
Reserve, and National Guard today. These brave service men and women 
proudly protect our Nation and its animals. I offer my sincere thanks 
and appreciation to these veterinarians and their staffs who dedicate 
their time and efforts in aid to the United States of America. As a 
veterinarian, I am proud to see them portray a positive image of our 
country, both at home and deployed abroad.

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