[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 89 (Thursday, June 20, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E942]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 THE INTRODUCTION OF THE MAJOR GENERAL DAVID F. WHERLEY, JR., DISTRICT 
     OF COLUMBIA NATIONAL GUARD RETENTION AND COLLEGE ACCESS GRANT

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON

                        of district of columbia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 20, 2013

  Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, as we approach the four-year anniversary of 
the tragic June 22, 2009, Metro crash, in which Major General David F. 
Wherley, former Commanding General of the D.C. National Guard, his 
wife, Ann, and seven others were killed when Metro trains collided on 
the Red Line, I introduce a bill, the Major General David F. Wherley, 
Jr., District of Columbia National Guard Retention and College Access 
Act (NGRCA), to permanently authorize funding for a program that 
provides grants for higher education to members of the D.C. National 
Guard. In 2010, I renamed this bill after General Wherley because he 
worked tirelessly with me to get funding for the program for many 
years, and because of his devotion to the youth of the District of 
Columbia.
  The NGRCA authorizes an education incentive program, recommended by 
the late Major General David F. Wherley, Jr., and his successor, Major 
General Errol Schwartz, to stem the troublesome loss of members of the 
D.C. Guard to other units. Surrounding states offer such educational 
benefits to their Guards. I am grateful that the Appropriations 
committees have provided funds for the program in some years, most 
recently in fiscal year 2013. Naming a permanently authorized program 
after General Wherley would memorialize his service to the country and 
to the Guard in a way that I believe he would have appreciated. 
Authorizing funding is necessary to ensure that D.C. Guard members 
receive the same treatment and benefits as other National Guard 
members, especially those in states that provide the higher education 
benefits we seek for D.C. Guard members. The Guard for the nation's 
capital has a limited ability to compete for regional residents, who 
find membership in the Maryland and Virginia Guards more beneficial. A 
competitive tuition assistance program for the D.C. Guard will provide 
significant incentives and leverage to help maintain enrollment and 
level the field of competition. The D.C. Guard is a federal instrument 
not under the control of the mayor of the District of Columbia. The 
federal government supports most other D.C. Guard functions and should 
support this small benefit as well.
  The small education incentives in my bill would not only encourage 
high-quality recruits, but would have the important benefit of helping 
the D.C. Guard to maintain the force necessary to protect the federal 
presence, including members of Congress and the Supreme Court, and 
visitors if a terrorist attack or natural disaster should occur. I am 
pleased to introduce the bill based on the advice of Guard personnel, 
who best know what is necessary.
  It is especially important for the D.C. Guard to be able to attract 
the best soldiers, given its unique mission to protect the federal 
presence here, in addition to D.C. residents. This responsibility 
distinguishes the D.C. Guard from all other National Guards. The D.C. 
Guard is specially trained to meet its unique mission.
  I urge my colleagues to support the bill.

                          ____________________