[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 116 (Monday, July 15, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E733]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




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

                                  _____
                                 

                       HON. ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON

                      of the district of columbia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 15, 2024

  Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, today, I introduce the Major General David 
F. Wherley, Jr., District of Columbia National Guard Retention and 
College Access Program Act. This bill would permanently authorize 
funding for the Major General David F Wherley, Jr., District of 
Columbia National Guard Retention and College Access Program, which 
provides financial assistance for higher education to members of the 
D.C. National Guard, which is an exclusively federal entity.
  This program and bill are named for Major General David F. Wherley, 
Jr., former Commanding General of the D.C. National Guard, who, along 
with his wife, Ann, and seven others were tragically killed when Metro 
trains collided on the Red Line on June 22, 2009. I named this bill for 
Major General Wherley because he worked tirelessly with me for many 
years to get funding for this program, and because of his devotion to 
D.C. youth and to the D.C. National Guard.
  This program was recommended by Major General Wherley and his 
successor at the D.C. National Guard, Major General Errol Schwartz, to 
stem the troublesome loss of D.C. National Guard members to other 
units, including National Guards in surrounding states that offer 
financial assistance for higher education to their members. I am 
grateful that Congress has consistently provided funding for this 
program, most recently $600,000 in fiscal year 2024. Permanently 
authorizing this program will help ensure that members of the D.C. 
National Guard receive the same benefits as members of other National 
Guards and help the D.C. National Guard recruit and retain members.
  This program not only benefits D.C. National Guard members, the great 
majority of whom live in Maryland or Virginia, but also helps the D.C. 
National Guard to maintain the force necessary to protect the federal 
presence in D C.
  I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

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