[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 143 (Tuesday, September 25, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1974]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   CONGRATULATING THE STAFF OF THE JOINT SERVICE EXPLOSIVE ORDNANCE 
                            DISPOSAL PROGRAM

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                          HON. STENY H. HOYER

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 25, 2007

  Mr. HOYER. Madam Speaker, I rise to offer my congratulations to the 
staff of the Joint Service Explosive Ordnance Disposal, EOD, Program, 
which today marks the delivery of the 1000th EOD Man Transportable 
Robot System, MTRS, to our military. This significant milestone is a 
testament to the highly skilled, top notch workforce marking this 
accomplishment today at the Naval EOD Technology Division.
  The MTRS is a two-man portable robotic system used in both peacetime 
and wartime operations by EOD technicians to perform remote 
reconnaissance of unexploded ordnance and improvised explosive device, 
IED, incident sites. These EOD Robots are keeping EOD technicians alive 
and are mitigating the effects of emplaced IEDs and unexploded ordnance 
encountered in a wide variety of operational environments around the 
world. By using replaceable robots, EOD operators can effectively 
conduct and complete highly hazardous missions while remaining in a 
protected position, minimizing human exposure and time-on-target.
  While no machine can replace a trained EOD technician, EOD personnel 
have embraced the ability of these robots to assist them in carrying 
out their important mission. Indeed, because of these robots, many of 
our EOD technicians have significantly reduced or avoided serious risk 
to themselves and their colleagues in military service.
  We owe a great debt of gratitude to the brave men and women willing 
to risk their own lives for this Nation by serving in our active 
military forces. While we can never fully repay that debt, we can 
demonstrate our gratitude by providing our military forces with 
advanced technology to ensure their safe return to their loved ones. 
Those responsible for delivering MTRS have been working to do just 
this.
  Madam Speaker, I ask that all Members join me in congratulating this 
outstanding Navy team as they celebrate the successful delivery of the 
1000th Man Transportable Robot System to our deployed military forces.

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