[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 13]
[Senate]
[Page 18704]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


[[Page 18704]]

                   ACTIVATING GUARD AND RESERVE UNITS

  Mr. DURBIN. Madam President, one of the other things I did just a few 
days


ago--and I hope my colleagues will consider doing the same--was to 
visit some of the Guard and Reserve units that are being activated.
  When I asked for the opportunity to go to Scott Air Force Base in 
Belleville, just to spend a few moments with the men and women of the 
126th Air Guard Refueling Wing, I wasn't certain whether they would 
consider this a colossal waste of time to have to have some political 
figure come and drop by. Exactly the opposite happened.
  It was an important experience for me, and I also think for many of 
them, just to come by, have a few kind words, and to really thank them 
for the sacrifice they have shown for this country.
  This is an Air Guard unit that has been activated many times. It was 
originally based at O'Hare and now is at Scott Air Force Base. They 
refuel planes and are very important to any military effort of the 
United States. There were about 340 members of this unit, men and 
women, who have joined the military, understanding their lives would be 
on the line. To go through the crowd there and meet each one of them, 
to talk for a few moments about their hometowns and their families, 
baseball, and so many other things that are just part of American life, 
was so refreshing and encouraging and, in a way, inspiring--spending 
that time with them and General Kessler, who is their commanding 
officer at Scott Air Force Base.
  Theirs is a unit that has been activated, in part. And I am sure 
others will be as well. The 182nd Airlift Wing in Peoria is also a unit 
that is likely to be mobilized--the 183rd Air National Guard Fighter 
Wing in Springfield, the 954th Air Reserve Support Unit out of Scott 
Air Force Base, the 182nd Air National Guard Security Forces, the 126th 
Air National Guard Security Forces, and the 183 National Guard Security 
Forces out of Springfield.
  The one thing they raised to me--and I think at least bears some 
comment in this Chamber--was their concern about their families once 
they left. That is a natural feeling. It is one we ought to remind 
ourselves of, that we have passed laws to protect these men and women 
in uniform who are activated so that they can return to their jobs 
without any loss of status, and also to help them in some financial 
circumstances.
  But beyond the laws, and beyond the Federal commitment, beyond the 
political speeches, I hope that every community across the United 
States will offer a helping hand to the families of those in the Guard 
and Reserve who are now called on to serve our country, as well as the 
active-duty men and women who are in harm's way at this moment in 
service to our Nation.
  Many times, as I went around Illinois, people would say: Senator, 
what can I do? I have given blood. I have sent my check in. The 
President has said to embrace my family. I did it; I do it every day. 
Is there anything more I can do? Think about the families of the men 
and women in uniform in your community who just may need a helping hand 
or a word of encouragement of perhaps a little more. That is something 
every one of us should do.

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