[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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