[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 130 (Wednesday, September 5, 2007)]
[House]
[Pages H10114-H10117]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  RECOGNIZING AND COMMENDING ALL WHO PROVIDE SUPPORT TO FAMILIES AND 
                CHILDREN OF MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES

  Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the 
concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 181) recognizing and commending all 
volunteers and other persons who provide support to the families and 
children of members of the Armed Forces, including National Guard and 
Reserve personnel, who are deployed in service to the United States.
  The Clerk read the title of the concurrent resolution.
  The text of the concurrent resolution is as follows:

                            H. Con. Res. 181

       Whereas there are 1.2 million children who are the sons or 
     daughters of members of the Armed Forces, including more than 
     153,000 children of members of reserve components,

[[Page H10115]]

     and more than one third of these children are under the age 
     of five;
       Whereas the families of members of the Armed Forces, and in 
     particular their children, provide unconditional love and 
     support to their loved ones serving in the Armed Forces 
     before, during, and after their deployment;
       Whereas the Department of Defense recognizes that the 
     family of a deployed member of the Armed Forces also serves 
     and has made a commitment to military families by 
     establishing goals for a New Social Compact with members of 
     the Armed Forces and their families;
       Whereas the Government makes significant resources 
     available to families and children of members of the Armed 
     Forces who reside on or near a military installation, 
     however, resources for families and children of deployed 
     Reserve and National Guard members are often difficult to 
     access because the families do not reside near a military 
     installation;
       Whereas a number of nonprofit organizations have dedicated 
     themselves to ensuring that children of military families 
     receive the support they urgently need while they cope with 
     the deployment of parents, in particular by providing 
     essential extracurricular activities and programs for school-
     aged children of deployed Reserve and National Guard members;
       Whereas these organizations include Our Military Kids, 
     Inc., Parents as Teachers, Citizen Soldier Support program, 
     Operation Homefront Inc., American Military Families, Inc., 
     and Kids Serve 2; and
       Whereas these programs and organizations have helped 
     children of deployed members of the Armed Forces maintain as 
     normal a life as possible by allowing funds to be used for a 
     range of activities that might otherwise be unavailable to 
     them: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
     concurring),  That Congress recognizes and commends all 
     volunteers and other persons who provide support to the 
     families and children of members of the Armed Forces, 
     including National Guard and Reserve personnel, who are 
     deployed in service to the United States and honors military 
     families and the non-governmental organizations that support 
     them.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Texas (Mr. Ortiz) and the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Wilson) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Texas.


                             General Leave

  Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 
5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on 
the resolution under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Texas?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, today we have the chance to thank the volunteers of 
nonprofit organizations who provide support for families and children 
of deployed members of the Armed Forces for their extraordinary 
contributions to those families.
  I want to thank Congressman Tom Davis, Congressman Joe Wilson and 
others for their contributions and for helping us bring this resolution 
to the floor.
  The families of United States troops serve this Nation by providing 
unconditional love and support for their deployed loved ones. While the 
government offers significant resources on military installations, when 
families live far away from a base, it is very hard to access those 
opportunities.
  True patriots look at this kind of situation and ask, what can I do 
for my military families? That's what the patriots did who founded Our 
Military Kids, Kids Serve 2, and several other organizations that 
recognize and support military families.
  These organizations' founders recognized the families' contributions 
and identified the need to provide opportunities and resources for 
their families, especially for the families and children of deployed 
Guard and Reserve troops.
  The organizations' contributions are so significant that in May, 
General David Petraeus, the United States Army Commanding General of 
the Multinational Force-Iraq, personally thanked Our Military Kids for 
their great work and support for Guard and Reserve troops' families.
  Our Military Kids is a nonprofit organization which is wholly devoted 
to offering financial resources and grants for children K-12 of 
deployed and severely injured Reserve and National Guard personnel. Our 
Military Kids helps families participate in sports, arts and tutoring 
programs that are so important to children during those stressful 
times.
  Today my resolution puts the House of Representatives on record as 
supporting the excellent work these nonprofit groups do to support the 
children and families of deployed troops. I ask the House to support 
this resolution and thank the founders and volunteers at Our Military 
Kids and at the other nongovernmental groups that support military 
families.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that the May 8 letter from General Petraeus be 
included for the Record.
                                                      May 8, 2007.
     Linda Davidson,
     Executive Director, Our Military Kids,
     McLean, Virginia.
       Dear Ms. Davidson: On behalf of the Soldiers, Sailors, 
     Airmen, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen serving in Iraq, 
     especially our Reserve and National Guard component forces, I 
     want to thank you for the support of your wonderful 
     organization, Our Military Kids.
       We ask a lot of today's military families. And I know that 
     families of National Guard and Reserve forces, in particular, 
     often feel a strain when their loved ones are called to 
     active duty. These troopers not only leave their families at 
     home, but they also leave their civilian jobs, adding 
     financial stress to the other stresses associated with 
     deployment. The support your organization provides through 
     generous financial grants helps to mitigate that financial 
     stress. In doing so, you are making tough deployments that 
     much easier on the forces deployed and their families at 
     home. I applaud the efforts of your organization.
       Thanks again for the important assistance you provide to 
     our servicemembers and their families.
           Sincerely,
                                                David H. Petraeus,
                                   General, U.S. Army, Commanding.

  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time 
as I might consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Concurrent Resolution 
181, a resolution authored by Congressman Solomon Ortiz, a dedicated 
member of the Armed Services Committee who is a proven friend of 
servicemembers and their families.
  This resolution commends a large group of selfless and dedicated 
people, many of whom are volunteers, in organizations that provide 
support to the families and children of deployed Members of the armed 
forces.
  As a 31-year veteran of the Army Reserve and National Guard, and as 
the proud father of four sons in the military, I know firsthand the 
rewards of service protecting American families and learning valuable 
skills.
  Our military families face extraordinary demands, stresses and 
challenges related to the service of their loved ones. Every soldier, 
sailor, airman and marine understands the challenges they will face as 
well as the sacrifices their families must also make. These include 
extended deployments, risk of injury and death, frequent relocations, 
long and unpredictable hours, and the unfamiliar customs and lifestyles 
of foreign lands.
  Many military families have multiple family members, which 
substantially outnumber the servicemembers themselves. According to a 
recent Army report, there are more than 1.8 million family members 
compared to 1.3 million active duty personnel. Beyond the statistics, 
however, is the reality that supporting and meeting the needs of 
military families is a matter of military readiness.
  Every branch of the military as well as the Department of Defense 
provide significant resources to the spouses and children of members of 
the Armed Forces. Much of the excellent support is provided on and 
through military installations.
  Actually, most military families do not live on military 
installations. Nearly two-thirds of the active duty Army family members 
live off post, and for virtually all the families of National Guard 
troops and reservists who reside in civilian communities, there is the 
challenge of ensuring access to the support they need, particularly 
during extended periods of mobilization and deployment.
  To ensure that military families get the proper support wherever they 
live, numerous nongovernmental organizations have sprung up. This 
extraordinary community of volunteer and nonvolunteer groups seek to 
ease the challenges and promote the extraordinary opportunities of 
military life in many ways.

[[Page H10116]]

  For example, some of their efforts include providing essential 
extracurricular activities for school-aged children, assisting new 
parents, building support systems in school districts not located on 
military installations, building bridges between local communities and 
military families to improve access to State and local services, and 
providing emergency and financial assistance.
  Today's resolution, introduced by my colleague, Representative 
Solomon Ortiz, is a fitting way to celebrate and thank such 
organizations as Our Military Kids, Parents As Teachers, Kids Serve 2, 
Operation Homefront, American Military Family, and the Citizen Soldier 
Support Program, along with other volunteer groups who help families 
and children of deployed members of the Armed Forces maintain as normal 
a life as possible.
  Again, as a 31-year veteran of the South Carolina Army National Guard 
and having a son, Alan, who served for a year in Iraq as a member of 
the Army National Guard, I have seen firsthand the many challenges and 
opportunities our National Guard troops and their families face.
  Many members of my former unit, the 218th Brigade commanded by 
Brigadier General Bob Livingston and currently stationed in 
Afghanistan, have families and loved ones that can benefit from the 
types of assistance these organizations and programs provide.
  I urge my colleagues to support House Concurrent Resolution 181 and 
to recognize and commend all the volunteers and others who help to take 
care of our military families and children. This new greatest 
generation deserves our support and assistance whenever and wherever we 
can be of service.
  Additionally, with personal sadness, my sympathy to the families of 
our late colleagues, Paul Gillmor of Ohio and Jennifer Dunn of 
Washington State.
  In conclusion, God bless our troops, and we will never forget 
September the 11th.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield so much time as she may consume to the 
gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Ginny Brown-Waite).
  Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida. I thank the gentleman from South 
Carolina.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Con. Res. 181, a 
resolution to honor the efforts of those volunteers that support 
military families when a servicemember is deployed.
  It is a superhuman task to fight for your country and take care of 
your family from thousands of miles away. Thanks to the efforts of 
volunteers and not-for-profit organizations across the country, 
deployments are made somewhat easier. Volunteers give their time, 
energy, and, most importantly, their prayers.

                              {time}  1500

  Some offer their time at after school programs, others may help 
around the house. However, no matter what they give, the difference 
they make in the lives of our military families is immeasurable.
  Many nonprofit groups go beyond and provide backpacks, clothes and 
emergency funds to help military families. Beyond helping families in 
time of emergency, these organizations help with the problems 
associated with everyday life.
  In particular, I'd like to recognize Hernando Home Front for their 
work with the families of the National Guard members who were activated 
from Brooksville, Florida. Whether they were builders, who helped in 
case the spouse had a problem, either a leaking roof or perhaps a 
plumbing problem that needed fixing, or just plain simple carpentry, 
this group was there. The home builders, various people throughout the 
community pitched in to help the family members of those National Guard 
units that were called up.
  Mr. Speaker, our men and women in uniform give everything for their 
country, and it gives me great pleasure to recognize those who care 
enough to give back to them.
  Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Con. 
Res. 181, a resolution I was proud to cosponsor with my colleague 
Congressman Ortiz, which recognizes and commends the many thousands of 
volunteers who provide support to the families of deployed military 
personnel, including those serving in the National Guard and Reserve.
  We make significant resources available to families and children of 
members of the Armed Forces who reside on or near military 
installations. But resources for families and children of National 
Guard and Reserve members are often difficult to access. Of the 1.2 
million young sons and daughters of members of the Armed Forces, 
approximately 153,000 are children of those serving in the National 
Guard and Reserve.
  These children also need help when parents deploy. The heroic work of 
these volunteers stresses the importance of maintaining childhood 
routines during times of stress and sacrifice. Grants supporting extra-
curricular activities, including tutoring, sports, art, camping and 
other educational opportunities that might be missing when a parent is 
gone, keep families active and linked to their communities. The help 
and support provided by these organizations tells military families, 
particularly the children, that they have not been left behind, but 
that we all recognize the personal sacrifices they are making when 
their family serves in the military.
  It's gratifying that many private non-profit organizations have been 
created by caring and thoughtful Americans to help fill this gap for 
Guard and Reserve children. This resolution recognizes and honors their 
work.
  One outstanding example is an organization called Our Military Kids, 
Inc, created by Linda Davidson and Gail Krusel of McLean, Virginia. It 
is a small corporation that has continued to expand nationally, 
providing assistance and grants to the children of deployed or 
severely-injured parents in over 35 states this year. The positive 
effect they have had on children of the National Guard and Reserve 
cannot be overstated.
  I salute the people behind Our Military Kids, Inc., and other 
organizations that have dedicated time, effort and money to assist our 
nation's military children. I ask my colleagues to stand up and join us 
in this resolution honoring their commitment and patriotic servIce.
  Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of House 
Concurrent Resolution 181 which recognizes and commends all volunteers 
and other persons who provide support to the families and children of 
members of the Armed Forces, including the National Guard and Reserve 
personnel, who are deployed in defense of the United States. I 
appreciate the work of my dear friend and our colleague, Congressman 
Solomon Ortiz, in bringing this resolution to the floor today and 
commend him for his leadership on issues affecting military families. 
Congressman Ortiz is Chairman of the Readiness Subcommittee of the 
House Armed Services Committee. I think it is important to highlight 
that family readiness is first and foremost a readiness issue for our 
Armed Forces.
  Never was this more apparent than on Congressman Ortiz' recent 
Congressional Delegation to Guam in April 2007. The Congressional 
Delegation had the opportunity to meet with families and servicemembers 
of the Guam National Guard and Army Reserve. The Congressional 
Delegation heard firsthand accounts about the difficulties and 
challenges that are faced by military families during mobilization. The 
Congressional Delegation also heard how the families view their role in 
support of the soldier and reviewed the services that are available to 
them when a loved one is deployed. The testimonials of these families 
proved that our Nation is better served when families of deployed 
servicemembers are provided the best support and assistance at all 
times and from a variety of sources.
  The Congressional Delegation also had the opportunity to meet with 
volunteers who help support families of Guard personnel and Reservists. 
It is volunteers that make the National Guard and Reserve family 
readiness programs a success. Volunteers in these readiness groups act 
as an extension of the unit by providing accurate command information. 
Most of the volunteers are the spouses of company commanders. The close 
ties of volunteers to company leadership also help foster a greater 
sense of community with shared benefits and help families navigate 
various issues at any time, but especially when a loved one is 
deployed. Without the support of thousands of volunteers across the 
country, many family readiness groups would not be able to provide the 
support that is needed for servicemembers families. It is important for 
these volunteers and the Congress to recognize the important role they 
fulfill in the readiness of our Armed Forces.

  On Guam our families have recently endured many long deployments of 
their loved ones to the Horn of Africa and to other areas of the world 
associated with Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. 
Volunteers have been crucial to the success of these family readiness 
efforts. In particular, in 2002 the Department of Defense recognized 
the family readiness group of Charlie Company, 411th Engineer Battalion 
of the Army Reserve for their instrumental service in

[[Page H10117]]

improving many facets of unit readiness, including a 99 percent 
retention rate and 90 percent attendance rate for drill. The family 
readiness group engaged in many community activities and each member 
attended special events of importance to the other families. It was 
these initiatives and community activities that helped bring the 
families of the deployed soldiers together and made enduring the long 
deployment more bearable.
  The recognition awarded to the Charlie Company emphasizes the 
critical importance of providing the best family support possible 
during deployments. When families of the deployed soldiers are taken 
care of it relieves our soldiers of worrying about their daily tasks at 
home and helps them to focus on the mission at hand. Indeed, the 
readiness of our men and women in uniform goes beyond providing the 
best equipment or training that is available. It is required that we 
provide a strong sense of community for their families at all times. 
Family readiness must be viewed as a continuum of support that 
continues beyond a servicemember's mobilization. Without volunteers who 
donate countless hours to this effort, family assistance would not be 
as effective and the readiness of our Armed Forces would not be as 
strong as they are today. House Concurrent Resolution 181 raises 
appropriate awareness of the readiness of our Armed Forces and the 
value of military families. I hope that all of us will recognize the 
important ways in which families and family readiness groups contribute 
to the strength of our Nation's Armed Forces.
  Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Speaker, at this time I don't have any further 
requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, at this time I have no 
further requests for time and I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Texas (Mr. Ortiz) that the House suspend the rules and 
agree to the concurrent resolution, H. Con. Res. 181.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the concurrent resolution was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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