[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 100 (Thursday, July 7, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1258]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                IN OPPOSITION TO THE McCOLLUM AMENDMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                            HON. MIKE PENCE

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 6, 2011

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 2219) making 
     appropriations for the Department of Defense for the fiscal 
     year ending September 30, 2012, and for other purposes:

  Mr. PENCE. Mr. Chair, I rise in opposition to the amendment offered 
by the gentlelady from Minnesota, Ms. McCollum.
  The amendment would prohibit the Department of Defense from advancing 
their recruitment and retention goals through various athletic 
sponsorships.
  At a time when our forces are undertaking operations in multiple 
theaters, I think it is wise that this body not end the very successful 
platform used by the Department of Defense to recruit men and women 
into their ranks.
  Contrary to popular belief, sponsorships also go far beyond driver 
appearances, commercials and decals on race cars. In fact, the National 
Guard's Sponsorship of the Panther Racing IndyCar team has not only 
been successful in recruitment efforts, but it also has been successful 
in technology sharing.
  J.R. Hildebrand, who drives the National Guard Indy car, wears ear 
sensors that measure the G-forces he experiences during a crash. That 
information is very useful for neurosurgeons who treat soldiers 
suffering from Traumatic Brain Injury, often the result of roadside 
bomb attacks.
  Understanding the nature and effects of Traumatic Brain Injury 
advances the ways in which we protect and treat our fighting men and 
women, and those same sensors worn by J.R. Hildebrand will soon be 
deployed to our soldiers downrange.
  These athletic sponsorships are great recruitment and marketing 
tools, and they also help improve the lives and care of our service men 
and women. I urge my colleagues to oppose the McCollum Amendment.

                          ____________________