[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 168 (Monday, September 27, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1029-E1030]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2022

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                      HON. BRADLEY SCOTT SCHNEIDER

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 27, 2021

  Mr. SCHNEIDER. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of the National 
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022, including my three 
amendments included in this legislation.
  The FY 22 NDAA authorizes critically important funding and programs 
for our Armed Forces who put their lives on the line to protect our 
nation and our people. The legislation ensures our servicemembers and 
their families have the resources they need and deserve to continue 
serving our country.
  As a parent to two adult sons, nothing is more important to me than 
my children being

[[Page E1030]]

safe and healthy. I had the pleasure of watching them grow up and 
become the men they are today.
  I think we can all agree that a parent's worst nightmare is losing a 
child. Any parent that has to bury to their child deserves the time and 
dignity to cope with that grief--a hole in the heart that doesn't heal, 
but around which one must build anew and move forward however possible.
  I hope that someday time to fully mourn a child is available for 
everyone in America, but at least my amendment to the FY 22 NDAA would 
guarantee paid bereavement leave for federal employees. This is an 
important step forward and I hope that we can show even more compassion 
in the future.
  My second amendment would codify the Boots to Business program into 
law.
  Boots to Business is an established, successful training program that 
has helped servicemembers transitioning into civilian life to start 
their own businesses. It has already trained more than 100,000 
servicemembers on the essential skills of entrepreneurship and this 
amendment would ensure that many more can benefit from it.
  My final amendment would have the Department of Defense create a 
U.S.-Israel Operations-Technology Working Group. This working group 
will enable further sharing of information vital to combating current 
and future threats and enhance our mutual security and the security of 
the Middle East as a whole.
  I appreciate the inclusion of my three amendments in the FY 22 NDAA 
and support its passage.

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