[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 28 (Tuesday, March 2, 2010)]
[House]
[Pages H991-H993]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                RECOGNIZING MILITARY WORKING DOG PROGRAM

  Mr. MARSHALL. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to 
the resolution (H. Res. 812) recognizing the significant contributions 
of the Military Working Dog (MWD) Program to the United States Armed 
Forces, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 812

       Whereas the Military Working Dog Program, or K-9 Corps, was 
     developed in 1942, shortly after the United States entered 
     World War II;
       Whereas all four branches of the United States Armed Forces 
     as well as other government agencies, including the Secret 
     Service, Central Intelligence Agency, and Transportation 
     Security Administration, use Military Working Dogs in service 
     to the country;
       Whereas Military Working Dogs are trained in explosive 
     detection, narcotic detection, sentry, patrol, tracking, and 
     other specific areas;
       Whereas Military Working Dogs, through their training, have 
     prevented injuries and saved the lives of thousands of United 
     States citizens;
       Whereas more than 19,000 Military Working Dogs were 
     acquired by the United States Armed Forces during World War 
     II and of those 19,000, a little more than 10,000 Military 
     Working Dogs were utilized in the war effort;
       Whereas more than 1,500 Military Working Dogs were employed 
     during the Korean War and 4,500 in the Vietnam War;
       Whereas, since September 11, 2001, Military Working Dogs 
     have served in Iraq and Afghanistan and have been employed in 
     detection work as part of homeland security and defense 
     efforts;
       Whereas today approximately 2,000 Military Working Dogs 
     serve at nearly 170 United States military bases worldwide, 
     including bases in 40 States and 3 United States territories;
       Whereas retired Military Working Dogs are recognized for 
     their lifetime of service in the United State Armed Forces; 
     and
       Whereas charitable organizations and community groups are 
     recognized for their work in coordination with the Department 
     of Defense to help bring Military Working Dogs stationed 
     overseas home to the United States for adoption when their 
     active duty days are over and provide support to active K9 
     military teams worldwide: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) recognizes the significant contributions of the 
     Military Working Dog Program to the United States Armed 
     Forces;
       (2) honors active and retired Military Working Dogs for 
     their loyal service and dedication to protecting the men and 
     women of the United States Armed Forces; and
       (3) supports the adoption and care of these quality animals 
     after their service is over.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Georgia (Mr. Marshall) and the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. 
Jones) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Georgia.


                             General Leave

  Mr. MARSHALL. I ask that all Members have 5 legislative days in which 
to revise and extend their remarks.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Georgia?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. MARSHALL. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  I rise today in support of House Resolution 812, recognizing the 
significant contributions of the Military Working Dog Program to the 
United States Armed Forces. I would like to thank my colleague from New 
Jersey (Mr. Lance) for bringing this measure before the House.
  Military working dogs contribute essential services to our Armed 
Forces through their capacity to detect explosives, illegal narcotics, 
and unwarranted persons beyond the capacity of any human patrol. They 
offer an invaluable ability for tracking missing people as well as 
fleeing suspects. Their support with sentry is crucial for the 
protection of our soldiers and civilians, and they are vital in so many 
different roles. Our military would not be as effective without them.
  Military working dogs serve the four branches of the military, the 
Secret Service, the Central Intelligence Agency, and the Transportation 
Security Administration. Their service has developed and expanded since 
their implementation in 1942 during World War II and has since played 
important roles overseas in Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan.

                              {time}  1530

  The Military Working Dog Program has increased its role in 
safeguarding our homeland. Since September 11, 2001, our expanded 
homeland and defense efforts would not be as effective if it were not 
for the expanded effort of the Military Working Dog Program. Thousands 
of dogs serve every year both in the United States and around the 
world, and I am glad to be here today in honor of their service.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. JONES. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Madam Speaker, I rise in support of House Resolution 812, which 
recognizes the significant contribution of the Military Working Dog 
Program to the United States Armed Forces. Dogs have long been known as 
man's best friend. They are brave, loyal, and trustworthy. It is not a 
coincidence that these are the same traits so valued by the United 
States military services. It is these qualities that have made our 
Armed Forces unsurpassed. It is no wonder that the natural bond between 
man and dogs and these shared

[[Page H992]]

characteristics have made military working dogs vital to the success of 
our Armed Forces since the K-9 Corps was established during World War 
II.
  Prior to the Second World War, the only dogs employed by the military 
were sled dogs used by the Army in Alaska. War dogs, as they were 
called in World War II, were trained to be sentry dogs, scouts or 
patrol dogs, messenger dogs, and mine-detection dogs. Today, military 
working dogs provide critical services in explosives and narcotics 
detection, sentry, patrol, and tracking, not only to the military 
services but to the Secret Service, Central Intelligence Agency, and 
the Transportation Security Administration.
  Currently there are over 2,000 military working dogs serving at 
military bases throughout the world. Over 250 are serving in Iraq and 
Afghanistan alongside our troops fighting to rid the word of tyranny 
and terrorism. These dogs are credited with saving countless American 
and coalition lives by their actions and are recognized as a true force 
multiplier and enabler.
  Sadly, military working dogs experience the same hardships and 
horrors of combat as the men and women they work to protect, including 
paying the ultimate price with their lives. Since the beginning of the 
program, hundreds of dogs have been killed in action, 281 in the 
Vietnam War alone.
  On a brighter note, Madam Speaker, today's military working dogs are 
retired after their lifetime of military service. With the help of the 
countless charitable and community agencies working with the Department 
of Defense, these dogs are placed for adoption after their active duty 
service is over. They bring joy to their adoptive families and serve as 
ambassadors for the Military Working Dog Program.
  Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the gentleman from New Jersey 
for introducing this resolution to recognize the extraordinary military 
working dogs. I join him and all of my colleagues to honor these 
incredible dogs and their military handlers and to support adoption of 
military working dogs who have served this Nation so well. I therefore 
strongly urge all Members to support this resolution.
  Madam Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman who introduced this 
legislation, the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Lance).
  Mr. LANCE. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman from North Carolina 
and the gentleman from Georgia.
  Madam Speaker, I rise today as the proud sponsor of House Resolution 
812, legislation to honor and recognize the significant contributions 
made by military working dogs to the United States military and to our 
Nation.
  Dogs have been used by people to help protect themselves and their 
property since ancient times. Trained dogs have been used by most of 
the world's military forces since the first military units were 
organized. From these ancient beginnings, the U.S. Armed Forces adopted 
the Military Working Dog Program, called ``the K-9 Corps,'' shortly 
after the attack on Pearl Harbor, when dog owners across the Nation 
donated their noble pets to assist soldiers and sailors in the World 
War II effort.
  Since that time, military working dog training has been continually 
refined to produce a highly sophisticated and versatile extension of 
the warrior's own senses. Military working dogs are trained in 
explosives detection, narcotics detection, sentry, patrol, tracking, 
and other specific areas. Even the most complex machines remain unable 
to duplicate the operational effectiveness of properly trained working 
dogs.
  The branches of the United States Armed Forces as well as several 
other governmental agencies incorporate military working dogs into 
their operations, including, as has been mentioned, the Secret Service, 
the Central Intelligence Agency, and the Transportation Security 
Administration.
  The United States military utilized more than 10,000 dogs in World 
War II. More than 1,500 military working dogs were employed during the 
Korean War, and 4,500 in the Vietnam War. Since September 11, military 
working dogs have served not only in Iraq and Afghanistan but also in 
detection work as part of homeland security and defense efforts. 
Approximately 2,000 military working dogs currently serve at nearly 170 
U.S. military bases worldwide, including bases in 40 U.S. States and 
three U.S. territories. Over the past six decades, these dogs have 
helped prevent injuries and have saved the lives of thousands of 
Americans.
  This resolution to honor these brave canines was inspired by a 
military working dog that was adopted by a family in Fleming, New 
Jersey, in my congressional district. Military Working Dog Ben C020 was 
retired from the Air Force last July after nearly 11 years of loyal 
service in the military. Ben, trained as a narcotics and patrol dog, 
served with a security unit at Bolling Air Force Base. As the premium 
narcotics dog in the unit, he was selected to deploy to Texas to assist 
the United States Customs and Border Protection agency, where he 
detected and prevented 300 pounds of marijuana from being smuggled into 
the U.S. in one month. Ben also worked in law enforcement, foot 
patrols, and resource security to keep employees, residents, and 
visitors at the Air Force base safe. In September, the Air Force 
awarded Ben with a medal of commendation to recognize the major 
achievements that he has achieved throughout his career.
  House Resolution 812 also recognizes community organizations for 
their efforts to assist in the adoption process of retired military 
working dogs. J.T. Gabriel, a constituent of mine and Ben's new owner, 
is the chief executive officer and founder of K-9 Soldiers, a nonprofit 
organization that supports military K-9 troops worldwide. In addition 
to providing support for active military working dog units, K-9 
Soldiers and many other community groups work closely with the adoption 
program at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas to help secure a home for 
military working dogs once they retire. Thanks to their efforts, 
hundreds of retired military working dogs have been able to find good 
homes and continue to lead happy and healthy lives after their years of 
loyal service to the Nation.
  I thank the chairman and the ranking member for allowing us to bring 
this resolution to the floor, and the Members who are cosponsors of 
House Resolution 812. I encourage all of my colleagues to support this 
resolution and honor the thousands of active and retired military 
working dogs that have helped save lives and protected the members of 
our Armed Forces in harm's way.
  Mr. MARSHALL. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  I simply observe that our very effective military dogs cannot 
function at all without their handlers, and so I would just like to 
recognize and thank those who work with these dogs and make them all 
they can be. The dogs are very important to security efforts by our 
Armed Forces, and without their handlers and the general support they 
receive from others, they would not be effective at all.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. JONES. Madam Speaker, I would like to yield 2 minutes to the 
gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Thompson).
  Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support 
of House Resolution 812 recognizing the significant contributions of 
the Military Working Dog Program to the United States Armed Forces, and 
I thank my good friend from New Jersey for bringing forth this 
resolution.
  As my colleagues have stated, military working dogs have served side 
by side with the brave men and women protecting our Nation. They serve 
as loyal companions in combat and beyond to their handlers. Many of 
these working dogs serve on the front lines as bomb sniffing dogs, 
detecting explosives and other threats, but also working narcotics 
detection, patrols, and even as sentries, alerting our brave soldiers 
when they are in danger.
  Back in 2005, then Air Force Tech Sergeant Jamie Dana and her 
military working dog Rex were traveling in a convoy in Kirkuk, Iraq, 
after searching several villages for explosives. Rex, a 5-year old, 80-
pound German shepherd, had been working with Dana for more than 3 
years. Returning to base that evening, her Humvee was hit by an 
improvised explosive device. Dana was the most badly injured in the 
convoy, and was rushed to the operating room by helicopter, 
continuously asking if Rex had survived the blast.
  ``My heart was broken,'' Dana said. ``He was my best friend. Rex and 
I were

[[Page H993]]

together 24/7, and my life was in his hands, just as his life was in 
mine. I thought he was dead.''
  Dana then went through several surgeries and defied the odds, 
continuing to improve and get better. During her recovery at Walter 
Reed, she awoke one day to find a big surprise: Rex was there, alive, 
with little more than a slight burn on his nose.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The time of the gentleman has expired.
  Mr. JONES. Madam Speaker, I yield an additional 2\1/2\ minutes to the 
gentleman from Pennsylvania.
  Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Dana's best friend, Rex, was alive. 
However, the reunion was short-lived as Rex was scheduled to be brought 
back into service.
  Growing up in Smethport, Pennsylvania, in Pennsylvania's Fifth 
Congressional District, Dana has always loved animals, especially dogs 
and horses. During her recovery, she repeatedly asked to adopt Rex. 
However, she was not allowed to keep him until Congress, recognizing 
the importance of military working dogs, passed a measure that would 
allowing certain exceptions for wounded veterans. Tech Sergeant Dana 
and others put their lives on the line every day in defense of this 
country, but so do their dogs. Their activities have truly touched the 
lives of so many, and I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting 
this resolution honoring military working dogs.
  Mr. JONES. Madam Speaker, I would think it is appropriate that I 
might say to everyone who has spoken today, thank you for your 
comments, but also I would like to share that the House has passed 
legislation that would allow a war dog memorial to be built at no 
expense to the taxpayer, either the building of the memorial or the 
upkeep. With that I would like to say to the gentleman from Georgia, it 
is a pleasure to work with you. You are one of the gentlemen who I have 
a greatest respect for in this House for your integrity.
  Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. MARSHALL. Madam Speaker, I appreciate the gentleman from North 
Carolina saying that since he is widely viewed in the House as being 
nothing but integrity.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Marshall) that the House suspend the rules 
and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 812, 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.
  The title of the resolution was amended so as to read: ``Recognizing 
the significant contributions of the Military Working Dog Program to 
the United States Armed Forces.''.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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