[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 156 (Thursday, December 2, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2038]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              HONORING NATIONAL GUARD ON 374TH ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                           HON. PHIL GINGREY

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 30, 2010

  Mr. GINGREY of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today as a proud 
cosponsor of H. Res. 1740, which recognizes and honors the National 
Guard on the occasion of its 374th anniversary. I would also like to 
thank Congressman Latta for offering this resolution and for his 
recognition of this important aspect of our Armed Forces.
  The National Guard is America's oldest military component dating back 
to 1636 when colonial militias--comprised of ordinary citizens--would 
put aside their occupations to defend their fellow countrymen and towns 
from hostile attacks. From their service in the Revolutionary War where 
they stood their ground during the opening shots at Lexington Green and 
Concord Bridge to most recently valiantly fighting in Operation 
Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom, the Guard has 
participated in every major American conflict. All Guardsmen are 
combat-trained, and while abroad they serve in combat missions, build 
schools and hospitals, and train local peacekeepers.
  In 1824, the 2nd Battalion, 11th Regiment, New York Artillery became 
the first military organization in the United States to adopt the title 
``National Guard.'' During the Mexican War, more than 70 percent of the 
total manpower effort was from citizen-soldiers, and in the Spanish-
American War, over 160,000 National Guardsmen volunteered for active 
duty on behalf of their country. As evidenced throughout history, the 
Guard has always been there in our time of need. Guard troops comprise 
more than 40 percent of the manpower for the U.S. in World War I, 
300,000 Guardsmen participated in World War II, 183,000 in the Korean 
War, 23,000 in the Vietnam War, and 70,000 in Operations Desert Shield 
and Desert Storm. Finally, since the September 11, 2001 attacks, 
hundreds of thousands of Guardsmen have and continue to serve in 
combating terrorism at home and abroad.
  Mr. Speaker, while the National Guard has certainly had an impressive 
track record of keeping our nation safe at home and throughout the 
world, they also support our countrymen when they are endangered by 
storms, floods, fires, and other disasters. Every state in the United 
States utilizes the National Guard for disaster assistance, and when 
Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf of Mexico, over 50,000 Guardsmen 
were deployed to aid in clean-up and restoration efforts.
  I am particularly honored to have the Georgia National Guard 
headquartered in Georgia's 11th Congressional District, which I have 
proudly represented for 8 years. In 2005, the Naval Air Station-Atlanta 
was closed by the Base Closure and Realignment Commission, and on 
September 29, 2009, the Georgia National Guard took control of that 
facility adjacent to Dobbins Air Force Base. The Georgia Guardsmen have 
always served with integrity and have been there for our State during 
times of need.
  I would also like to congratulate Major General William Nesbitt--who 
has a decorated career in the National Guard--for being reappointed as 
the Adjutant General of the Georgia National Guard by my good friend 
and former colleague in the House of Representatives, Governor-Elect 
Nathan Deal.
  Mr. Speaker, it is truly a privilege to recognize the 374 years of 
service of the National Guard on behalf of our country, but we must 
take a moment to honor the men and women who have paid the ultimate 
sacrifice on the battlefield keeping the citizens of this great Nation 
safe. I want to say a gracious thank you to these brave individuals for 
their service and thank their families for bearing the great cost of a 
loved one so that America can be a better place. We will never forget 
these heroes, and we will always honor and admire their sacrifice.
  The National Guard has and always will be an icon of the United 
States Armed Services, and I am very proud of the job these men and 
women continue to do at home and around the world.

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