[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 185 (Thursday, December 10, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2921]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            HONORING 373RD ANNIVERSARY OF THE NATIONAL GUARD

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. LAURA RICHARDSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, December 7, 2009

  Ms. RICHARDSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of House 
Resolution 940, a resolution recognizing and honoring the National 
Guard on the occasion of its 373rd anniversary. The National Guard has 
a rich and vital history of protecting our Nation, and I am proud to 
support this resolution honoring them.
  I would like to thank Congressman Latta for authoring this important 
resolution, and House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer and Speaker Nancy 
Pelosi for their skill and leadership in bringing it to the floor.
  Mr. Speaker, since the attacks on September 11, 2001, hundreds of 
thousands of members of the Army and Air National Guard have been 
called upon by their States and the Federal Government to provide 
security at home and combat terrorism abroad. As a conferee on H.R. 
2647, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010, I 
was proud to support the provision of $200 million to support National 
Guard and Reserve military construction projects. The men and women of 
the National Guard make so many sacrifices to keep our Nation and its 
people safe, and we need to make sure they have the support and funding 
to perform their duties. This resolution recognizes and honors those 
sacrifices.
  In conclusion, Mr. Speaker, I support this resolution thanking the 
members of the National Guard for their service and continued support, 
as well as expressing condolences and gratitude to the families of 
members of the National Guard who have lost their lives. I am proud to 
honor and support the compassionate, courageous, and dedicated members 
of the National Guard who serve a critical role in protecting the 
United States and its citizens' freedoms and treasured liberties.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H. Res. 
940.

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