[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 130 (Thursday, July 27, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E732-E733]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




30TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE STATE PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JOE WILSON

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 27, 2023

  Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, as the Senior member of 
the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Readiness I am grateful to 
recognize the historic significance of the 30th anniversary of the 
founding of the Department of Defense State Partnership Program.
  The Department of Defense State Partnership Program was established 
in 1993 and has evolved from a program designed to assist countries 
emerging from behind the Iron Curtain to one that now involves 88 
partnerships with 100 nations, and the National Guard of every state 
and territory of the United States. Every year, members of the National 
Guard typically engage in more than 1,000 events during which they work 
with partner militaries to bolster capabilities, improve 
interoperability, and enhance principles of responsible governance.

[[Page E733]]

  The State Partnership Program delivers a significant return on 
investment by broadening the pool of security partners who are willing 
and able to support defense and security cooperation objectives around 
the world. In fact, most of the earliest State Partnership Program 
partner countries in Europe have gone on to become United States allies 
in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, and many of them credit the 
State Partnership Program and their National Guard State partners with 
helping to make that possible.
  Last year, with the leadership of Adjutant General Van McCarty 
continuing the tradition of Adjutant General Bob Livingston, the South 
Carolina National Guard celebrated the 10-year anniversary of our State 
Partnership with the Republic of Colombia. Since the launch of our 
mutually beneficial partnership, we have assisted in humanitarian aid, 
disaster relief, jointed combined training, and the internal 
transformation of civilian and military systems. The California 
National Guard has been instrumental in assisting the military of 
Ukraine and now is effectively facing War Criminal Putin, the monstrous 
dictator.
  Being a father to four sons who have served overseas in the military 
and a 31-year veteran of the U.S. Army Reserves and the South Carolina 
Army National Guard, I am appreciative of the rich military tradition 
held within the Second District of South Carolina. Our district is home 
of Fort Jackson in Columbia, while Shaw Air Force Base in Sumter and 
Fort Gordon in Augusta, Georgia, are located just outside the District.
  I am grateful to see the National Guard working with the commanders 
of the combatant commands and the Department of State to increase State 
Partnership Program partnerships by 2 nations per year for the next 15 
years. The outsized influence of the program in developing and 
supporting enduring relationships around the world serves both the 
interests of the partner nation and the United States.
  Last, and most importantly, I want to express my deep gratitude for 
the continuing service by members of the National Guard in support of 
the Department of Defense State Partnership Program.

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