[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 110 (Monday, July 23, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1297]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2013

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. MAZIE K. HIRONO

                               of hawaii

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 18, 2012

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the state of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 5856) making 
     appropriations for the Department of Defense for the fiscal 
     year ending September 30, 2013, and for other purposes:

  Ms. HIRONO. Mr. Chair, I support passage of H.R. 5856, the Department 
of Defense Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2013, which supports our 
servicemembers and makes important investments in our national security 
and in the health, well-being, and readiness of our Armed Forces.
  Our country owes a debt of gratitude to our military and their 
families for their service and selfless sacrifices. We in Hawaii are 
proud of the men and women in our military that have served and are 
currently serving in Afghanistan. Above all, we must also never forget 
those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. Supporting 
our servicemembers and their families, whether it's during deployment 
or as they transition back into civilian life, is a solemn commitment 
we must keep.
  Many of our men and women in uniform are suffering from serious 
wounds from their service, both visible and invisible. That's why I'm 
pleased to see increases in traumatic brain injury and psychological 
health funding as well as suicide prevention and outreach. The bill 
also boosts resources for peer-reviewed research on Gulf War Illness, 
Lou Gehrig's disease, breast cancer, prostate cancer, vision and spinal 
cord conditions, and many other medical research initiatives.
  This legislation will further protect access to health coverage for 
Hawaii's military retirees, who have dedicated their careers in service 
to our country. Through the adoption of an amendment offered by 
Representative Stearns, no funds could be used to implement a fee to 
enroll in TRICARE for Life.
  Hawaii has a strong military presence and is home to thousands of 
military families. As a strong advocate for Impact Aid, I welcome the 
increased amount of this funding, which helps ensure the federal 
government does its part to support our nation's local school districts 
and military families and educate military-connected children.
  By providing support for the operation, maintenance and procurement 
for our military's installations in Hawaii, including Joint Base Pearl 
Harbor-Hickam, Schofield Barracks, and Kaneohe Marine Corps Base, H.R. 
5856 protects jobs and advances President Obama's strategic refocusing 
on the Asia-Pacific region. The measure also affirms the critical role 
of our citizen soldiers and airmen in the defense of our nation in 
providing for critical Army equipment needs and rejecting force 
structure reductions and aircraft retirements proposals that would have 
negatively affected Air Guard and Reserve units across the country.
  With turmoil continuing in the Middle East, now more than ever we 
must stand strong with our friend and ally Israel. This measure 
includes additional funding for joint U.S.-Israeli defense cooperation, 
and continued support for Iron Dome system, which has protected and 
saved lives from the daily threat of rockets aimed at towns and cities 
in a country surrounded by hostility and instability.
  While H.R. 5856 supports our soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines in 
Hawaii and around the world, this defense appropriations bill contains 
provisions that raise serious concerns. For example, this bill slows 
down the withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan; it is over the 
President's budget request and over the Budget Control Act passed last 
year. H.R. 5856 excludes funds requested by the President for the 
production of domestic biofuel for our military, an important 
initiative our military leadership supports. Furthermore, the bill 
places a significant amount of our nation's resources in certain 
weapons systems the Defense Department neither requested nor needed.
  It is my hope that Senate will address these serious issues and that 
we can pass a final bill that is fiscally responsible, reaffirms the 
American people's commitment to our servicemembers and protects our 
national security.

                          ____________________