[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 75 (Friday, May 27, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E973-E974]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2012

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. NICK J. RAHALL II

                            of west virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 25, 2011

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 1540) to 
     authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2012 for military 
     activities of the Department of Defense and for military 
     construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for 
     fiscal year 2012, and for other purposes:

  Mr. RAHALL. Madam Chair, today, I rise on behalf of all of West 
Virginia's National Guard and proudly support the Miller/Rahall 
amendment based on my legislation, the Guardians of Freedom Act of 
2011--a bill to elevate the Chief of the National Guard Bureau to a 
position on the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
  The body politic of the National Guard--nearly a half-million strong 
supports this amendment, as does the National Guard Coalition, composed 
of Adjutants General Association, the National Guard Association, and 
Enlisted Association of the National Guard.
  The National Guard is one of our Nation's longest-standing 
institutions, empowered by Congress and providing to the States a 
highly trained and well-equipped force to protect life and property. 
Over the course of its nearly four-hundred year history, the National 
Guard has remained a dual State-Federal force, providing security on 
the home front and fighting threats to our Nation and our freedoms all 
over the globe.
  The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008 brought 
about historic empowerment changes for the National Guard, elevating 
the Chief of the National Guard to the rank of four-star general and 
providing the Chief a stronger voice inside the Pentagon. This year, 
the 2012 Defense Authorization bill also adds a vice-chief to assist 
with the increasing responsibilities of the Chief of the National Guard 
Bureau. But we must do more in giving the Chief a seat at the 
negotiating table.
  As a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Chief of the National 
Guard Bureau would have responsibility and authority to advocate and 
coordinate the Guard's war fighting support and force provider mission 
with its homeland security and support missions to ensure the Guard has 
the resources to perform its multiple missions and fulfill its 
Constitutional role to our States.
  Madam Chair, from the battlefield to the home fields, our National 
Guard--America's patriots--exemplifies sacrifice and commitment to 
duty.
  West Virginians volunteer for the National Guard at nearly double the 
national rate. The West Virginia National Guard has 38 units and 
activities stationed in 22 counties throughout West Virginia, and 
currently has units deployed in military operations around the world.
  The American people owe an enormous debt of gratitude to our nearly 
500,000 men and women members of the National Guard in

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service to these great United States. These extraordinary individuals 
maintain the Guard's multi-mission role--providing nearly 33 percent of 
America's combat power globally. Yet, simultaneously and with great 
skill, from approximately 3,400 community-based armories they serve 
their fellow citizens in defense of our homeland, and in support to 
States and local civil authorities and emergency response needs.
  Now more than ever, this Nation is relying upon the Guard to wage 
combat on foreign soil, straining our resources here on the home front 
to respond to domestic disasters and the Guard's traditional duties. 
The training, equipping, and deployment of the Guard, and their budget, 
ought to be matters decided with input from the National Guard Chief at 
the highest levels of the military echelon. Now more than ever, the 
Guard needs a seat at the head table.

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