[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 152 (Tuesday, October 20, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2573]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




HONORING THE 56TH BRIGADE COMBAT TEAM OF THE PENNSYLVANIA ARMY NATIONAL 
                                 GUARD

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                            HON. JIM GERLACH

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, October 14, 2009

  Mr. GERLACH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 754, a 
resolution honoring the 56th Brigade Combat Team (Stryker) of the 
Pennsylvania Army National Guard on its return to the United States 
from deployment in Iraq.
  The 56th Stryker Brigade is composed of approximately 4,000 citizen-
soldiers from throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. These 
servicemembers come from various communities, including several 
communities in the 6th Congressional District.
  The Brigade has previously served our country honorably, mobilizing 
and deploying to Kosovo in 2003. On September 19, 2008 the 56th Stryker 
Brigade was mobilized a second time, deploying to Iraq on January 15, 
2009. The Brigade arrived in Iraq in late January 2009 and accepted 
responsibility of a roughly 800-square-mile area north of Baghdad from 
the 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division.
  During their deployment in Iraq, the 56th Striker Brigade played a 
critical role in support of military operations in Iraq. Brigade 
Soldiers performed over 800 combined operations with Iraqi security 
forces, capturing seven brigade level high value targets and 80 
additional targets, including the capture of more than 80 enemy weapon 
caches.
  The Soldiers of the Independence Brigade served side by side with 
Iraqi soldiers to ensure security. The 56th Stryker Brigade is credited 
with making $22 million worth of reconstruction improvements in 
coordination with an embedded U.S. provincial reconstruction team. 
Following their one year of exceptional service, the Brigade returned 
to the United States and demobilized in September 2009.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me today in honoring the 
brave men and women of the 56th Brigade Combat Team (Stryker) of the 
Pennsylvania Army National Guard. May their service be an inspiration 
to us all.

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