[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 148 (Wednesday, October 14, 2009)]
[House]
[Pages H11311-H11313]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
HONORING THE 81ST BRIGADE COMBAT TEAM OF THE WASHINGTON ARMY NATIONAL
GUARD
Mr. SMITH of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and
agree to the resolution (H. Res. 627) honoring the citizen-soldiers of
the National Guard of the State of Washington, including the 81st
Brigade Combat Team (Heavy) of the Washington Army National Guard, as
amended.
The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
The text of the resolution is as follows:
H. Res. 627
Whereas the members of the Army National Guard and Air
National Guard of the State of Washington reside throughout
the State and come from various communities, backgrounds, and
professions;
Whereas units and members of the Washington National Guard
have been deployed, and are continuously being deployed, in
support of United States military operations at home and
overseas in Iraq, Afghanistan, and dozens of other countries;
Whereas one such unit, the 81st Brigade Combat Team (Heavy)
of the Washington Army National Guard, is composed of
approximately 2,478 citizen-soldiers from throughout the
State of Washington, 843 soldiers from the California Army
National Guard, 80 soldiers from the Texas Army National
Guard, 38 soldiers from the Indiana Army National Guard, 23
soldiers from the Arkansas Army National Guard, 20 soldiers
from the United States Army Reserve, 13 soldiers from the
Montana Army National Guard, 2 soldiers from the Kentucky
Army National Guard, 2 soldiers from the Maryland Army
National Guard, and 1 soldier from each of the Alabama Army
National Guard, New Mexico Army National Guard, Virgin Island
Army National Guard, Wisconsin Army National Guard, Hawaii
Army National Guard, New York Army National Guard, Utah Army
National Guard, Minnesota Army National Guard, Massachusetts
Army National Guard, Illinois Army National Guard, and
Michigan Army National Guard;
Whereas the 81st Brigade Combat Team was placed on Federal
active duty for a second overseas mobilization on August 18,
2008, and deployed to Iraq in October 2008;
Whereas, during the deployment of the 81st Brigade Combat
Team in Iraq, the brigade was primarily engaged in convoy
security, force protection, provincial reconstruction, and
base operations missions; and
Whereas the 81st Brigade Combat Team returned to the United
States and demobilized in August 2009, upon completion of one
year of service in support of military operations in Iraq:
Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) expresses its gratitude to the members of the Army
National Guard and Air National Guard of the State of
Washington and their families for their service and sacrifice
on behalf of the United States;
(2) commends the members of the 81st Brigade Combat Team
(Heavy) from the Washington Army National Guard, the Army
Reserve, and the other State National Guards specified in the
preamble on the completion of their most-recent deployment in
Iraq; and
(3) recognizes the achievements of the members of the 81st
Brigade Combat Team, and all other formerly and presently
deployed Washington Army and Air National Guard units and
members, for their exemplary service.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Washington (Mr. Smith) and the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr.
Shuster) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Washington.
General Leave
Mr. SMITH of Washington. 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 Washington?
There was no objection.
{time} 1115
Mr. SMITH of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as
I may consume.
I rise today to pay tribute to the men and women of the Washington
National Guard, including the members of the 81st Brigade Combat Team,
who recently returned from an overseas deployment in Iraq.
I want to thank the entire Washington State delegation, who have all
cosponsored this resolution in honoring this unit for their service to
our State and to our country.
Throughout the Nation, hundreds of thousands of men and women in the
Guard and Reserves serve our country. Over the last 8 years, we have
asked more of them than anybody could have possibly imagined, and every
single time, they have answered that call at great personal sacrifice.
These are men and women who have lives, they have other jobs, they have
families, and it is highly unpredictable when they are going to be
called up and asked to serve, and yet they always respond.
It is critical to the safety and security of our country that they do
this. They do it with great courage and dedication, and they honor our
country by their service.
In my home State, various elements of the Washington National Guard
have been deployed over that time period overseas in Iraq and
Afghanistan, but also we must remember that the Guard and Reserves
serve us here at home as well. We have had numerous emergencies in the
State of Washington during that time period on which the Guard and
Reserves have helped us out. As well, we have had them deployed across
the country in places like Louisiana. When Hurricane Katrina hit, they
were called upon to do that. Their service continues for all of us in
the State and across the country.
Most recently, the 81st Brigade Combat Team, led by Colonel Ronald
Kapral and Command Sergeant Major Robert Sweeney, just completed their
second 12-month deployment to Iraq. The brigade primarily engaged in
convoy security, force protection, provincial reconstruction, and base
operations missions around Iraq during their yearlong deployment.
They made our State proud during this service, as they have during
all of their previous deployments. Again, this is done at no small
sacrifice both by the individual members of our Army National Guard and
also by their families, who have to deal with the disruption.
One of the most important things we can do in our State and across
the country is to always support the families when the men and women
are deployed, and to let them know that they are not alone in their
service.
Their deployment was highly successful, honored by all who watched
them serve. Tragically, one member of the team died during the course
of his service. Specialist Samuel Stone, of Port Orchard, was killed on
May 30, 2009. We all honor his loss and his service, and I ask that we
keep him and his family in our thoughts and prayers.
The National Guard serves our State and our country in ways that most
of us are unaware of, but it is absolutely critical to the security of
our country. With our all-volunteer force, it simply could not function
without men and women who are willing to take on this dual
responsibility to continue in their civilian lives and who are also
making themselves available for service whenever they are called, and
they do not know when that is going to be.
As I said, it can be from the Governor in the State or across our
country, or as has happened most recently, overseas deployments can
come up when they are asked by our Federal Government to serve our
Nation. Yet they are always ready, and they always respond, and they
have served our Nation in a way that should make us all proud.
We literally could not have the national security we have in this
country without their willingness to serve, and I thank the 81st
Brigade Combat Team for their service on this most recent deployment,
and I thank all those in the Washington National Guard who have served
and who, today, stand ready to continue to serve. We honor their
service. We thank them.
Again, I want to thank my colleagues in the Washington State
delegation for unanimously signing onto this resolution honoring their
service.
I reserve the balance of my time.
[[Page H11312]]
Mr. SHUSTER. I yield myself as much time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support and as a cosponsor of House
Resolution 627, which does recognize the service and sacrifices of
members of the 81st Brigade Combat Team, Washington Army National
Guard, during the unit's recent tour of duty in Iraq.
I want to commend Representative Smith for putting forth this
legislation. The 81st Brigade came home in August, having successfully
completed its second overseas rotation. While in Iraq, its men and
women performed admirably in a range of missions that included convoy
security, force protection, provincial reconstruction, and base
operations support.
The 3,500 remarkable men and women who comprised the brigade combat
team came not only from the Washington State Army National Guard but
from around the country, which is so typical of our Guard units today.
That so many citizen soldiers came from so many different locations and
different walks of life and operated so successfully is a tribute not
only to the patriotism and to the commitment of those men and women but
also to their professionalism, adaptability and leadership.
I urge all of my colleagues to support this resolution that expresses
the House's gratitude to the 81st Brigade Combat Team for their service
to our Nation. It commends them upon the completion of their most
recent deployment, and it recognizes their achievements.
With that, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. SMITH of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I yield as much time as he may
consume to the gentleman from Washington (Mr. Baird).
Mr. BAIRD. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this resolution
and, most importantly, in strong support of the men and women of the
81st Brigade and of our entire National Guard, not only in Washington
State but across the Nation.
These brave men and women have served our country multiple times, as
my colleagues have said, not just in times of war but in times of
peace. We have had catastrophic flooding in my district a number of
times, and the National Guard has always been there to respond to that
call. It has been my great privilege to join our National Guard during
their training in Yakima, during deployment ceremonies here Stateside,
at Camp McCoy, then again in Iraq, in Afghanistan, and back home.
I will tell you, as we all know, they make us proud every single day.
They are truly the finest that America has to offer, and it is their
example of courage, professionalism, integrity, and compassion more
than anything else, in addition to their combat and civilian skills,
which help them successfully complete their mission at home.
I want to particularly congratulate General Timothy Lowenberg, who
has been an outstanding leader of the Guard, again during both war and
peacetime; Colonel Sabatini, whom I met with this last week on a
homecoming visit with the troops; and Daniel Kern, who served in
Afghanistan while many of the other Guardsmen were in Iraq.
Particularly, I want to thank the families. As Congressman Smith
mentioned, the families serve as well. While their loved ones are
overseas and are in harm's way, it is the families back home--the moms
and dads, the brothers and sisters, and the children--who keep the home
fires burning, and we must not forget them.
In knowing the fact that our unit is back home, we must keep in our
hearts all those who are still deployed and who have been deployed.
I also want to mention the employers. Employer support of the Guard
and Reserves is an incredibly important organization. They make sure
that, when our men and women are deployed overseas, they have a chance
to come home and resume their employment. Also, there are the educators
who are helping people. There are our community colleges and
universities and our vocational and technical education schools, which
are helping retrain our soldiers when they come home.
Most importantly, I think it's essential that we acknowledge that
Iraq is a better place because of the service of these men and women.
Afghanistan is a better place. Our country is a better place, and we
are grateful, and we cannot express in words our profound respect and
gratitude.
I thank the gentleman for introducing the resolution.
Mr. SMITH of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as
I may consume just to offer closing remarks.
I want to thank Congressman Baird for his very well-expressed remarks
and Congressman Shuster for his support as well. I urge us to support
this resolution honoring the 81st Brigade Combat Team for their service
in Iraq. I think we also need to remember, as we go forward in a number
of policy areas, the support that we need to show for the Guard and
Reserves and for their families, whether we're talking about dealing
with their retirement issues, with the GI Bill, as Congressman Baird
mentioned, with the ability to retrain and to give more service to the
men and women who serve in the Guard and Reserves--anything we can do
to support them and make it easier and more possible for them to
continue to serve and, as Brian mentioned, to make sure that their
employers continue to employ them and to work with them.
We need to do this in this House as we work not just on these
resolutions but on the legislation that offers the support that is so
critical to the men and women who serve in the Guard and Reserves and
to their families.
With that, I urge passage.
Mr. McDERMOTT. Mr. Speaker, I rise to voice my strong support for H.
Res. 627, legislation I co-sponsored honoring the citizen soldiers of
the National Guard of the State of Washington, including the 81st
Brigade Combat Team of the Washington Army National Guard.
The National Guard plays a vital role in the defense of our
communities and country. When we need them, they are always there,
whether it be responding to a natural disaster at home or deploying to
a combat zone overseas. The men and women of the Washington National
Guard are our friends and neighbors, and their dedication and
patriotism make us all very proud every time they put on the uniform.
More than 11,000 Washington State citizen soldiers have answered the
call to duty since 9/11, including the 81st Brigade Combat Team that
recently returned home from a mission in Iraq. Tragically, Specialist
Samuel Stone, of Port Orchard, Washington, was killed during the
deployment.
Outside my office in the Longworth House Office Building I have
placed pictures of all the soldiers from the State of Washington who
have died in Iraq and Afghanistan. Every day, visitors coming to or
passing by the 7th Congressional District Office stop and look at the
faces of the fallen. In so doing, we honor those who have died in
service to their country and consider the consequences of sending
soldiers off to war.
We are proud of the men and women of the Washington National Guard
who willingly place themselves in harm's way to protect our lives,
property and country. They deserve public recognition and our heartfelt
thanks. I think of H. Res. 627 as a medal awarded to every citizen
soldier for service above and beyond the call of duty. Thank you on
behalf of a grateful State and Nation.
Mr. HASTINGS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of
H. Res. 627, a resolution honoring Washington's National Guard, and
specifically the members of the 81st Brigade Combat Team. The brave men
and women of the Army National Guard who make up the members of the
81st Brigade recently returned to Washington after a one-year
deployment to Iraq where they served with honor, valor and distinction.
The 81st Heavy Brigade Combat Team is headquartered in Seattle, and
is comprised of units from all over our state filling its ranks.
Deploying to Iraq in August of 2008, this Brigade spent the next year
in support of the mission of Operation Iraqi Freedom and our efforts to
protect America and promote freedom and security in the Middle East.
During their time in Iraq, the members of the Brigade were most
frequently tasked with convoy security, force protection, provincial
reconstruction and base operations.
Many members of the 81st Brigade live in Central Washington, with
units headquartered in Pasco, Yakima and Moses Lake within my district.
These soldiers are also members of our local communities. They are
husbands and wives, small business owners, lawyers, and farmers. Not
only do they fight to protect our freedoms overseas, but they also work
every day for a brighter future back home.
The deployment of combat troops does not just affect those serving in
Iraq, however. I must also recognize the support and sacrifice of the
families of these brave soldiers. The patient and steadfast support of
all the wives, husbands, mothers, fathers and children should be
applauded; I send my thanks to each and every one of them today.
[[Page H11313]]
Our community and the entire nation are proud of these brave men and
women, and we are glad to see them home safely. Soldier-citizens who
voluntarily make such a tremendous sacrifice are what have kept our
nation safe, free and strong for over 200 years. The work performed in
support of Operation Iraqi Freedom is important--requiring personal
commitment and sacrifice. Your service to our country will not be
forgotten.
Mrs. McMORRIS RODGERS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the
return home of the 81st Brigade.
In August 2008, it was a cloudy day in Eastern Washington when our
community said goodbye to the men and women serving in the 81st
Brigade. These citizen soldiers volunteered to serve a year in Iraq.
The day they departed, we all had tears in our eyes. However, I also
saw in every mother, father, wife, husband, and friend how proud they
were of their soldier. I am grateful for the uncommon commitment as a
``citizen soldier'' leaving not only family and friends, but putting
your job and perhaps educational goals on hold.
I also want to applaud the families of the 81st Brigade. More often
than not, as soon as a servicemember deploys, the spouse is faced with
an unforeseen obstacle like their brand new car needing to go back to
the shop or the refrigerator deciding not to work. The families of the
81st Brigade have much catching up to do. They will have a Thanksgiving
to celebrate, Christmas presents to open, birthday candles to blow out,
Easter eggs to hunt and many, many kisses and hugs to share.
The operations we face in Iraq and Afghanistan have now lasted longer
than World War II. In the last five years our nation has tasked every
branch of the military and every component; active duty, National Guard
and Reserve. Each has responded admirably and consistently. Our
Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines are a vital part of that
critical response in keeping America safe. We could not protect our
nation if it were not for what each of them bring to the fight.
Mr. Speaker, the 81st Brigade recently returned on a sunny day back
to Washington State. I am proud to welcome them home and congratulate
them on a job well done.
Mr. SMITH of Washington. I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Washington (Mr. Smith) that the House suspend the rules
and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 627, as amended.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the resolution, as amended, was agreed to.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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