[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 23 (Wednesday, February 13, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E140]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


        NATIONAL GUARD STATE PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM ENHANCEMENT ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. MADELEINE Z. BORDALLO

                                of guam

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 13, 2013

  Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, today I have introduced the National Guard 
State Partnership Program, SPP, Enhancement Act which strengthens and 
expands this critical capacity building program. The National Guard 
provides unique capacity building capabilities to Combatant Commanders 
and U.S. Ambassadors via 65 comprehensive partnerships between National 
Guard units across the United States and partner nations. The SPP 
directly supports the broad national interests and security cooperation 
goals of the United States by engaging partner nations via military, 
sociopolitical, and economic conduits at the local, state, and national 
levels. The program's public diplomacy effectiveness lies in its 
ability to leverage the full breadth and depth of U.S. defense and 
interagency capabilities from within the state-country relationship.
  The goals of the program reflect an evolving international affairs 
mission for the National Guard emphasizing its unique state-federal and 
civil-military characteristics to interact with both the active and 
reserve forces of foreign nations, interagency partners, and 
international nongovernmental organizations. The value of the SPP lies 
in its ability to concentrate a small component of the U.S. defense 
structure--a state's National Guard--on a single country or region in 
support of U.S. Government policies and objectives. This concentrated 
focus supports the development of long term personal relationships and 
interagency coordination mechanisms that would not otherwise exist.
  The SPP has the potential of being increasingly more important tool 
for Combatant Commanders and U.S. Ambassadors in achieving long-term US 
objectives. The program has developed from assistance and partnership 
with primarily Eastern European nations to a program that supports all 
the non-CONUS combatant commanders. Of particular interest to me are 
the opportunities that SPP poses for our rebalance to the Asia-Pacific 
region. I believe the SPP brings unique capabilities to US Pacific 
Command in expanding and strengthening bilateral relations with many 
Asian and Pacific nations. The program can help to demonstrate the U.S. 
commitment to the region and our allies.
  The bill I introduce today helps the SPP by codifying the program's 
use of funding and spells out the roles that National Guard units can 
play in their capacity building. The legislation is needed to ensure 
the program meets its intended goals. The legislation first establishes 
the process through which funds appropriated to the National Guard may 
be used to support the program's goals. This is merely a codification 
of Department of Defense guidance and National Guard Bureau process. 
Additionally, the legislation outlines the mechanism through which 
partnerships may be requested and approved. The bill ensures that 
Department of Defense, a state National Guard and Department of State's 
equities are considered in the context of broader program goals. 
Finally, the legislation expands the roles that a National Guard may 
perform when in support of the State Partnership Program. The 
capabilities and missions outlined in this legislation leverage the 
very unique capabilities inherit in the National Guard which would 
strengthen our relations with allies and nations across the globe. The 
dual role of the National Guard provides them a unique opportunity to 
support Combatant Commander as well as an Ambassadors needs in a given 
country. I believe this legislation is necessary to codify current 
practices and enhance the program's positive impact.
  Finally, I would note that a version of this legislation passed by 
voice vote, last year, during consideration of amendments to the 
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013. The program 
has broad support in Congress and I urge my colleagues to support this 
measure.

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