[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 83 (Tuesday, May 20, 2008)]
[House]
[Pages H4180-H4182]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
{time} 1200
COMMENDING THE ALASKA ARMY NATIONAL GUARD
Mrs. DAVIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules
and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 961) commending the Alaska Army
National Guard for its service to the State of Alaska and the citizens
of the United States.
The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
The text of the resolution is as follows:
H. Res. 961
Whereas the 297th Infantry and the scout group of the
Alaska Army National Guard deployment of almost 600 Alaskans
was the largest deployment of the Alaska National Guard since
World War II;
Whereas the Alaskans of the 3rd Battalion, 297th Infantry
came from 80 different communities across Alaska;
Whereas the 3rd Battalion, 297th Infantry included 75
soldiers from New York, Mississippi, Illinois, Georgia and
Puerto Rico;
Whereas the 586 soldiers of the 3rd Battalion, 297th
Infantry were mobilized in July of 2006 and deployed to Camp
Shelby, Mississippi;
Whereas the 3rd Battalion, 297th Infantry was deployed to
Camp Virginia, Camp Navstar and Camp Buehring in Northern
Kuwait;
Whereas the 3rd Battalion, 297th Infantry courageously
performed route and perimeter security missions, mounted
combat patrols and inspections and searches of vehicles going
into Iraq from Kuwait, among other assignments;
Whereas the 3rd Battalion, 297th Infantry, over the course
of 12 months in Kuwait and Iraq, inspected and searched over
30,000 semi-trucks;
Whereas the 3rd Battalion, 297th Infantry designed all
force protection plans in northern Kuwait;
Whereas the families of the members of the 3rd Battalion,
297th Infantry have provided unwavering support while waiting
patiently for their loved ones to return;
Whereas the employers of members and family members of the
3rd Battalion, 297th Infantry have displayed patriotism over
profit, by keeping positions saved for the returning soldiers
and supporting the families during the difficult days of this
long deployment, and these employers are great corporate
citizens through their support of members of the Armed Forces
and their family members;
Whereas the 3rd Battalion, 297th Infantry has performed
admirably and courageously; gaining the gratitude and respect
of Alaskans and all Americans; and
Whereas members of the 3rd Battalion, 297th Infantry
received 3 Bronze Stars, 12 Meritorious Service Medals, 142
Army commendations and more than 200 Army Achievement Medals
for their outstanding service: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That Congress--
(1) commends the 3rd Battalion, 297th Infantry of the
Alaska Army National Guard upon its completion of deployment
and brave service to the Commonwealth of Alaska and the
citizens of the United States; and
(2) directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to
transmit a copy of this resolution to the Adjutant General of
the Alaska National Guard for appropriate display.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from
California (Mrs. Davis) and the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Wittman)
each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from California.
General Leave
Mrs. DAVIS of California. 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
gentlewoman from California?
There was no objection.
Mrs. DAVIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I
may consume.
I rise today in support of House Resolution 961, commending the
Alaska Army National Guard for its service to the State of Alaska and
the citizens of the United States.
Let me first take a moment to thank Representative Don Young of
Alaska for taking the lead and getting this resolution to the floor
here today.
[[Page H4181]]
The 297th Infantry and the scout group of the Alaska Army National
Guard's deployment of almost 600 Alaskans was the largest deployment of
the Alaska National Guard since World War II.
The deployment of the 3rd Battalion, 297th Infantry included
servicemembers from 80 different communities across Alaska, and
included 75 soldiers from New York, Mississippi, Illinois, Georgia and
Puerto Rico.
The term ``citizen soldier'' is a term that rings true for these
patriots that have stepped forward to serve our great country.
Five hundred eighty-six servicemembers of the 3rd Battalion, 297th
Infantry were mobilized in July of 2006 and deployed to Camp Shelby,
Mississippi. The 3rd Battalion, 297th Infantry was deployed to Camp
Virginia, Camp Navstar, and Camp Buehring in northern Kuwait where they
courageously performed route and perimeter security missions, mounted
combat patrols and inspections and searches of vehicles going into Iraq
from Kuwait.
Over the course of 12 months in Kuwait and Iraq, they inspected and
searched over 30,000 semi-trucks and designed all force protection
plans in northern Kuwait.
We would like to thank the families of these servicemembers who have
provided unwavering support while waiting for their loved ones to
return. It is through the support of our families that our
servicemembers are able to serve our great Nation, especially during
times of war.
In addition, when members of the National Guard deploy, their
families are not the only ones affected. Since our servicemembers live
and work in their communities, the communities, too, are affected by
these deployments, especially their employers. We would like to
recognize and thank those employers who have displayed patriotism over
profit by keeping positions saved for the returning soldiers and
supporting the soldier's families during this time. Our soldiers and
their families could not have made it through these difficult times
without that support.
The courageousness and dedication to duty of the members of the 3rd
Battalion, 297th Infantry is evident in the awards and decorations
received during their deployment, which included three Bronze Stars, 12
Meritorious Service Medals, 142 Army commendations, and more than 200
Army Achievement Medals for their outstanding service.
As a Nation, we thank you for your service to the Commonwealth of
Alaska and the citizens of the United States upon completion of this
deployment.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. WITTMAN of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I
may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of House Resolution 961, which
commends the Alaska Army National Guard for its service to the State of
Alaska and the citizens of the United States.
Mr. Speaker, I am honored to pay tribute to the 586 courageous
members of the Alaska Army National Guard's 3rd Battalion, 297th
Infantry who recently returned from their year-long deployment in
southern Iraq and Kuwait. These brave men and women, representing 80
different communities across Alaska, successfully served as security
forces in northern Kuwait and southern Iraq, guarding camps and convoys
heading into Iraq since October, 2006.
Alaska's sons and daughters were joined by National Guardsmen from
New York, Mississippi, Illinois, Georgia and Puerto Rico as they
inspected and searched over 30,000 semi-trucks during their 12 months
in Kuwait and Iraq.
Thankfully, Mr. Speaker, all the members of this outstanding unit
returned home safely, but not before distinguishing themselves by
earning three Bronze Stars, 12 Meritorious Service Awards, 142 Army
commendations, and more than 200 Army Achievement Medals for their
outstanding service.
Mr. Speaker, not since World War II has the Alaska National Guard had
so many of its members deployed. I would be remiss, Mr. Speaker, if I
did not also pay tribute today to the incredible families of these
brave soldiers who waited at home while their loved ones answered our
Nation's call. The families of 3rd Battalion, 297th Infantry also
serve, and they deserve our sincerest appreciation and thanks.
Alaska and the entire Nation owe the members of the Alaska Army
National Guard's 3rd Battalion, 297th Infantry a debt of gratitude. We
are all so proud of their service. Therefore, Mr. Speaker, I strongly
urge all Members to support this resolution.
Mr. Speaker, at this time, I yield to the gentleman from Alaska (Mr.
Young) such time as he might need.
(Mr. YOUNG of Alaska asked and was given permission to revise and
extend his remarks.)
Mr. YOUNG of Alaska. I thank the gentleman for yielding.
First let me thank the chairman of the subcommittee, Mrs. Davis, for
her fine work in bringing this legislation, and of course, Mr. Wittman,
for your fine work. As a freshman, I deeply appreciate it.
Congratulations on doing an effort for our National Guardsmen for
Alaska.
Much has been said today, and I will not repeat that, about the
Alaska National Guard, the 3rd Battalion, 297th Infantry, that went to
Kuwait and Iraq and what they were able to do.
I would just like to mention one thing. The majority of these young
people came from many areas of the State of Alaska, about 80
communities in the State of Alaska. If you think about it a moment,
going to Iraq, more so even Kuwait, and the change in temperature, that
was a marvelous thing to witness when some of those people came back
and told me it was not only hot, but also it was cold, which they're
somewhat used to. But they went over without any complaints and
returned, by the way, in body, all 586 members, back to Alaska. I have
to say, this is what we call the ``citizens' army,'' the families they
left behind, the families that welcomed them home.
We have to recognize the importance of the Alaska National Guard and
the National Guard of the Nation and the role they play, a role much
larger than ever expected to play by being deployed time and time
again. I hope we do address that issue in the near future.
I also like to suggest that they did the work over in Iraq and Kuwait
by receiving three Bronze Stars, 12 Meritorious Service Medals, 142
Army commendations, and 200 Army Achievement Medals. So they did their
job as they were over there.
I had the privilege of going to Camp Shelby in Mississippi when they
got off the ship and came back to the United States soil and to speak
to them there. As I told them then, I not only support the troops, I
respect the troops and the jobs they did. They were charged as civilian
soldiers to go overseas. They were charged to do a duty and they did it
with great valor, and that I deeply respect them for.
I think this body must recognize the importance of the National
Guard, not only in Alaska, but across this Nation, and continue to
support the families and individuals themselves as they serve this
great Nation.
This is a good piece of legislation in recognition of a great unit. I
again thank the chairman and the subcommittee chairman and the ranking
member. I do thank all of you, my colleagues, for supporting this
resolution and supporting not only the Alaska National Guard, but the
National Guard in total.
I rise today to honor the Alaska Army National Guard and the 586
members of the Alaska Army National Guard's 3rd Battalion, 297th
Infantry who returned in October from their year long deployment to
southern Iraq and Kuwait, in the largest deployment of the Alaska
National Guard since World War II.
The 3rd Battalion, 297th Infantry was deployed from October 2006 to
October 2007 and spent the year as security forces in northern Kuwait
and southern Iraq since October 2006, successfully guarding camps and
convoys heading into Iraq.
The guardsmen came from all over my State, with members of the unit
hailing from 80 different communities across Alaska, including
Anchorage, Fairbanks, Kodiak, Soldotna, Kenai, Nome and many Native
villages. Thankfully, all 586 who deployed overseas were able to return
safely to those communities.
Many of these Alaskans had never ventured Outside prior to
mobilizing, and the climate in the Middle East could not be more
different from that of Alaska, but not one hesitated to serve their
country, even if it meant facing temperatures of 130 degrees.
[[Page H4182]]
They served with distinction as well, inspecting and searching over
30,000 semi-trucks and designing all of the force protection plans for
northern Kuwait. They were recognized for their service, earning 3
Bronze Stars, 12 Meritorious Service Medals, 142 Army commendations and
more than 200 Army Achievement Medals over the course of their
deployment.
I was honored to be invited to their welcome home celebration at Camp
Shelby in Mississippi this past October. I was humbled to spend time
with them and, as I told the National Guardsmen at Camp Shelby, ``You
can't support the troops unless you respect them. I humbly respect you
because you have done your job as you were charged to do so, and as
volunteers. You left your families and you went forth and accomplished
what you were taught to do.''
I truly believe that the importance of the National Guard to our
country cannot be overstated, which is why it is important that we
honor these citizen-soldiers. We must not, however, forget the families
of these citizen-soldiers, who make their own sacrifice for our country
and earn nothing but the thanks of the Republic.
And so I respectfully urge the House to pass this resolution, to
thank those citizen-soldiers from Alaska and to thank their families.
It is the greatness of these citizens from which America derives its
own and we would all do well to remember that.
Finally, I would like to thank my colleagues on both sides of the
aisle that cosponsored this resolution.
Mrs. DAVIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my
time.
Mr. WITTMAN of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my
time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Davis) that the House suspend the
rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 961.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the resolution was agreed to.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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