[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 8]
[House]
[Pages 11035-11039]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



 HONORING ARMY NATIONAL GUARD COMBAT UNITS DEPLOYED IN SUPPORT OF ARMY 
                          OPERATIONS IN BOSNIA

  Mr. THORNBERRY. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree 
to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 154) honoring the continued 
commitment of the Army National Guard combat units deployed in support 
of Army operations in Bosnia, recognizing the sacrifices made by the 
members of those units while away from their jobs and families during 
those deployments, recognizing the important role of all National Guard 
and Reserve personnel at home and abroad to the national security of 
the United States, and acknowledging, honoring, and expressing 
appreciation for the critical support by employers of the Guard and 
Reserve.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                            H. Con. Res. 154

       Whereas in October 1999 the Army announced a groundbreaking 
     multi-year plan to mobilize and deploy the headquarters of 
     National Guard combat divisions to command the United States 
     sector of the Multinational Stabilization Force in Bosnia and 
     to employ significant elements of the Army National Guard 
     enhanced combat brigades in that sector;
       Whereas the 49th Armored Division, Texas Army National 
     Guard, and Army National Guard combat units from the 30th 
     Enhanced Separate Brigade of North Carolina and the 45th 
     Enhanced Separate Brigade of Oklahoma have completed 
     deployments in Bosnia, and 1,200 soldiers of the 48th 
     Infantry Brigade of Georgia are as of June 2001 deployed to 
     Bosnia in the largest such deployment of National Guard 
     personnel in support of the North Atlantic Treaty 
     Organization peacekeeping mission in Bosnia;
       Whereas the more than 1,200,000 citizen-soldiers who 
     comprise the National Guard and Reserve components of the 
     Armed Forces nationwide commit significant time and effort in 
     executing their important role in the Armed Forces;
       Whereas these National Guard and Reserve citizen-soldiers 
     serve a critical role as part of the mission of the Armed 
     Forces to protect the freedom of United States citizens and 
     the American ideals of justice, liberty, and freedom, both at 
     home and abroad; and
       Whereas thousands of employers nationwide continue their 
     support for service of their employees in the Reserve 
     components: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
     concurring), That the Congress--
       (1) honors the continuing service and commitment of the 
     citizen-soldiers of the Army National Guard combat units 
     deployed in support of Army operations in Bosnia;
       (2) recognizes the deployment of the 48th Infantry Brigade 
     in March 2001 as an important milestone in that commitment;
       (3) honors the sacrifices made by the families and 
     employers of the members of those units during their time 
     away from home;
       (4) expresses deep gratitude for the continuing support of 
     civilian employers for the service of their employees in the 
     National Guard and Reserve;
       (5) recognizes the critical importance of the National 
     Guard and Reserve to the security of the United States; and
       (6) supports providing the necessary resources to ensure 
     the continued readiness of the National Guard and Reserve.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Texas (Mr. Thornberry) and the gentlewoman from California (Ms. 
Sanchez) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Thornberry).


                             General Leave

  Mr. THORNBERRY. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all 
Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend 
their remarks on H. Con. Res. 154.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Texas?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. THORNBERRY. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of this resolution, 
introduced by the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Collins), honoring the 
continuing commitment of Army National Guard combat units in support of 
U.S. operations in Bosnia.
  Throughout our history, America's citizen soldiers have played a 
crucial role in making and keeping the peace. Nowhere has this been 
more evident than in recent deployments of the National Guard to 
support peacekeeping missions in Bosnia. Clearly, we are increasingly 
reliant on the men and women of the National Guard and Reserve to 
perform peacetime operational missions. For example, in 1996, the 
National Guard and Reserves provided less than 1 million duty days of 
direct support to active components. Today, they are providing in 
excess of 12 million duty days of support annually, the equivalent of 
nearly 34,000 active duty personnel.
  In October 1999, the Army announced an important decision to employ 
National Guard combat units and National Guard division headquarters in 
support of the NATO peacekeeping mission in Bosnia. As a result, the 
49th Armored Division headquarters for the Texas National Guard, and 
combat units from the 30th Enhanced Separate Brigade, North Carolina 
National Guard, and the 45th Enhanced Separate Brigade of the Oklahoma 
National Guard have completed deployments in Bosnia.

[[Page 11036]]

  I am particularly proud of the 49th, because several of its members 
came from my district, soldiers like Bob Wenger of Amarillo, Texas. The 
49th was the first Guard or Reserve unit to command active duty troops 
since World War II. They set the standard for others to follow. Today, 
more than 1,200 soldiers of the 48th Brigade, Georgia National Guard, 
have deployed in the largest such deployment of National Guard soldiers 
to Bosnia.
  This resolution not only honors the commitment and dedication of the 
soldiers in these combat units who have left home and family to serve 
the Nation, but it also honors the sacrifices of their families and 
employers. It also serves as a reminder to us, and to the Nation, that 
the National Guard and Reserve are critically important to the security 
of the United States. Their readiness directly contributes to America's 
military readiness, and we must continue to provide the support 
necessary for both the active and reserve components to perform the 
missions assigned to them.

                              {time}  1500

  Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this resolution, and I 
reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. SANCHEZ. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  I rise in support of House Concurrent Resolution 154, and I urge my 
colleagues to support this important measure.
  Madam Speaker, H. Con. Resolution 154 commends the continued 
commitment of the Army National Guard combat units deployed in support 
of Army operation in Bosnia. It recognizes the important role of all 
National Guard and Reserve personnel, and it expresses appreciation to 
the employers of the Guard and the Reserves.
  Since the first units of the National Guard were mobilized for 
deployment to Bosnia in December of 1995, our National Guardsmen and 
women and Reservists have played a vital and significant role in 
Bosnia. Their determined efforts have helped to stabilize the area and 
deter hostilities to facilitate long-term peace in that area.
  Recognizing their valuable contributions, the Army began to mobilize 
and deploy the headquarters of the Army National Guard combat divisions 
and enhanced combat brigades in Bosnia. As increasing numbers of our 
National Guard and Reserves are being called to duty for peacekeeping 
operations, humanitarian missions, and combat, we also need to 
recognize the effect that this has on their families and to recognize 
the valiant effort by these families when personnel go abroad. Like 
those on active duty, Guard and Reserve personnel would not be able to 
focus on their mission without the support and the strength of their 
families. Madam Speaker, it really takes quite a lot out of families 
when someone gets uprooted and leaves their job for a while and goes 
across to work in Bosnia. So we really commend the families for their 
contributions and their sacrifices in this effort.
  However, the Guard and the Reserve must also depend on the support of 
their employers. Can we imagine what it is like to have somebody who is 
very vital to one's business interests all of a sudden leave for 6 or 8 
or 10 months? Without the support of employers across the country, 
Guard and Reservists would not be able to continue this important 
mission for the United States.
  Madam Speaker, I would like to recognize and thank those employers 
for their essential support of the National Guard and our Reservists. 
It is the contributions of the service member, of the family, and the 
employers that play a role in our success in Bosnia and other regions. 
This successful combination allows us to have the best citizen soldiers 
in the world.
  Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this measure, and I 
reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. THORNBERRY. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman 
from Georgia (Mr. Collins) the sponsor of this resolution.
  Mr. COLLINS. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me 
this time.
  In March, after completing preparations at Fort Polk, Louisiana and 
Fort Stewart, Georgia, some 1,200 soldiers of Georgia's 48th Infantry 
Brigade were deployed to Bosnia to participate in the peacekeeping 
mission. They are following in the footsteps of other National Guard 
units that have been mentioned such as the Texas division, the 39th 
Enhanced Separate Brigade of North Carolina, and the 45th Enhanced 
Separate Brigade of Oklahoma. Our citizen soldiers are adding their 
strength to our efforts to bring peace to a bitter and divided land.
  These men and women are part of more than 1.2 million soldiers who 
play a critical part in our national defense as members of our National 
Guard and Reserve components. They contribute significant time and 
effort to executing their roles, and we as a Nation are very grateful.
  Our citizen soldiers have helped defend our freedom since the first 
minutemen took up their muskets to meet the British at Concord Bridge. 
From those grassy fields of New England to the burning sands of Kuwait, 
our guardsmen and reservists have fought with distinction.
  As citizen soldiers, most guardsmen and reservists have two careers, 
civilian and military. After a hard week on the job, neighbors may be 
headed to the beach for the weekend, but many guardsmen are headed off 
to drill and to train. Neighbors may be watching emergencies on TV, but 
oftentimes guardsmen are already there helping victims of disorder and 
disaster.
  As we see our guardsmen called up to serve in areas such as Bosnia 
over the long deployments, we should note the sacrifices as they leave 
home, family, and friends in the service of their country. This 
separation is hard on families and loved ones; but while we often note 
the burden on soldiers and their families, we often overlook someone 
who makes an equal sacrifice too, and those are the employers of those 
reservists and those guardsmen.
  I want those employers to know that the Congress deeply appreciates 
the sacrifice that they knowingly make for our national security when 
they hire members of the National Guard and Reservists. As a small 
businessman, Madam Speaker, I know how business can be affected by the 
absence of a good worker for a period of as short as a day, much less 
for several weeks or months. It is tough on a business, no matter how 
large or small.
  Our Nation is secure today because Americans stand ready to defend 
our freedom. The men and women of our National Guard and Reserve 
sacrifice their time and talent to serve in the military, even as they 
hold down those civilian jobs. The spirit of sacrifice is also 
exemplified by the families and the loved ones who support them whether 
they are off on a weekend drill or extended deployments overseas. For 
this we are grateful.
  Ms. SANCHEZ. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from 
Missouri (Mr. Skelton), our distinguished ranking member of the 
Committee on Armed Services.
  Mr. SKELTON. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding me 
this time. I rise in support of H. Con. Res. 154. I urge that all of us 
in this body vote for it.
  This resolution honors the Army National Guard combat units in 
Bosnia, recognizes the sacrifices of Guard and Reserve families, and 
expresses appreciation to employers of the Guard and Reserve members 
for their critical support. The Guard and Reserves have become 
increasingly critical to our national security through the years. Guard 
and Reserve personnel have been deployed around the world for numerous 
missions, including peacekeeping operations in Bosnia.
  Madam Speaker, in recent weeks I have had the opportunity to visit 
with a good number of National Guard units in the Fourth Congressional 
District of Missouri, and soon I will have visited all of them. I must 
tell my colleagues that I am so proud of them. They are there because 
they want to be there. They take their training seriously; they take 
their mission seriously. When I asked them how many had been deployed 
in recent years, my colleagues should see the number of hands

[[Page 11037]]

that are raised. I thank them for their sincerity and their dedication 
to the State and to our government here in the United States.
  The October 1999 announcement by the Army to mobilize and deploy 
National Guard combat divisions to command active and Reserve forces in 
Bosnia was an historical landmark. Other various Guard combat support 
and combat service support units have been participating in Bosnia 
since December of 1995. For example, the 1137th Military Police Company 
from Kennett, Missouri was mobilized for Bosnia in December of 1995. 
Since then, the 70th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment and the 135th 
Military History Detachment from Jefferson City and the 40th 
Operational Support Airlift Command Detachment from Springfield have 
also seen service in Bosnia. These Missouri National Guardsmen and 
women have joined the thousands of guardsmen and reservists from across 
the Nation who have served the Nation so well.
  Mr. THORNBERRY. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman 
from Texas (Mr. Brady).
  Mr. BRADY of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of this 
resolution offered by the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Collins).
  This is truly a unique time in the history of our Nation's military. 
The time of the National Guard being used solely for the purpose of 
missions within the U.S. borders is over. That is not to say the Guard 
does not play a vital role in our domestic situation, such as the flood 
recovery in my home area of Houston from the Storm Allison. In fact, 
and thank goodness, nearly 400 Guard members were called to active duty 
to assist the victims, my neighbors, in this devastation.
  But that is not all they do. With the decreasing size of our active 
duty military, the role of the National Guard has never been more 
important. All too often we forget about the important service our 
Guard units play in protecting our Nation's interests abroad.
  Last year in February, National Guardsmen began pulling active duty 
overseas for the first time since the Korean War. And, for the first 
time since American soldiers went to Bosnia in late 1995, an Army 
National Guard unit performed the headquarters function and provided 
the true component for the peacekeeping mission there.
  Madam Speaker, I am proud that the approximately 750 men and women 
who served in this precedent-setting mission were from the Texas 49th 
Armored Division, the Fighting 49th of the Texas National Guard, also 
known as the Lone Star Division. This unit returned home in October of 
last year following an 8-month peacekeeping duty in Bosnia. I had the 
pleasure of enjoying Easter Sunday services with our troops in Bosnia. 
I cannot tell my colleagues how impressed I was with the dedication and 
the professionalism and their dedication to the mission, our country, 
and their families.
  This resolution today also hits home because one of my staff people, 
David Drake McGraw, will be commanding the Alpha Troop of the Maryland 
National Guard when it is deployed to Bosnia in a few months. My office 
is dealing with the same challenges as thousands of other employers 
across our country when employees, key employees are deployed as part 
of these units. Madam Speaker, I can tell my colleagues that it is not 
easy, but it is worthwhile. The sacrifice members of the National Guard 
make each year in order to serve their country through the military is 
in addition to working full-time jobs. It is great and must not be 
forgotten. I am proud of Drake, not only for his outstanding service to 
the residents of my district of Texas, but also for the sacrifice and 
service to our Nation.
  Captain McGraw serves in the Maryland Army National Guard. His unit, 
the first of the 1/58 Cavalry, will be going to Bosnia on September 18 
for about 7 months. He will be leaving behind his wife, Barbra and his 
young son, David. It is important to remember the sacrifice they are 
making while Drake is serving his country.
  Madam Speaker, it is for these reasons that I proudly support this 
resolution.
  Ms. SANCHEZ. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from 
Georgia (Mr. Bishop).
  Mr. BISHOP. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding me 
this time.
  Madam Speaker, the National Guard personnel that are deployed in 
Bosnia are preventing widespread violence that could quickly reoccur if 
they were not there to serve their country in the cause of humanity. 
Every American owes them a deep debt of gratitude. They left their 
families, their homes, their careers behind to join our NATO allies on 
a mission that is saving lives and making the world safe from a cruel 
conflict, one that could spread uncontrollably if not held in check.
  This call-up is not fun. It is tough. It is grueling, and it is 
dangerous duty. But they willingly serve, and we are grateful.
  In March, 1,200 citizen soldiers of the 48th Infantry Brigade began a 
6-month tour of duty in Bosnia, the largest Georgia Guard mobilization 
since Operation Desert Storm. Other Guard personnel from my State and 
from other States have also served as peacekeepers there, and I urge 
the House to pass this resolution to honor the commitment and the 
sacrifice of every National Guard soldier who has faithfully served and 
who faithfully answers the call.
  Mr. THORNBERRY. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the distinguished 
gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Pence).

                              {time}  1515

  Mr. PENCE. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding time to 
me.
  I especially appreciate the leadership of the gentleman from Texas 
(Mr. Thornberry) for bringing this important resolution to honor the 
service of our National Guard heroes who have served our country so 
ably in Bosnia. I also thank the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Collins) 
for his efforts.
  Madam Speaker, I have a particular interest in this resolution, and I 
am pleased to be a cosponsor because I am fortunate enough to represent 
Indiana's Atterbury National Guard base and Armed Forces Training 
Center at Atterbury. This facility has played an important role in 
preparing our reserve forces for deployment to the Bosnian theater. I 
am very proud of the work they do there.
  In fact, Madam Speaker, the training facilities at Atterbury are the 
finest light fighting training site east of Mississippi, to hear them 
tell it. This distinction is deserved praise given the role they have 
played in getting our troops ready for service in Bosnia.
  Since 1996, Hoosier National Guardsmen have had a continuous 
representation in Bosnia. Next spring, the 76th Separate Infantry 
Brigade will also be deployed in Bosnia. The newest mission amounts to 
nearly 300 infantry soldiers from all over the State of Indiana.
  In addition to plain old home State pride for the work our National 
Guard personnel have done and are doing in Bosnia, it is with deep 
respect that I call attention to the preparation that is under way 
presently for the largest mobilization of Indiana's National Guard 
since World War II.
  In the spring of 2004, the 38th Infantry Division Headquarters, based 
in east central Indiana, will deploy to Bosnia to run the Task Force 
Eagle Headquarters there and supervise all U.S. military operations. 
Hopefully, this 2004 mission will be the supervising of the final leg 
of our mission in that region.
  For all the work that our men and women in the National Guard have 
done and will do in the future, Madam Speaker, I know I speak for all 
of my constituents in Indiana when I say, ``Well done, good and 
faithful servants,'' and I thank them for all they have done to help 
secure relative peace and stability in the region.
  House Concurrent Resolution 154 is a well-deserved tribute.
  Mr. GILMAN. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. Con. 
Res. 154, a bill honoring the commitment of the Army National Guard 
combat units deployed in Bosnia and I urge my colleagues to give this 
measure their full support.
  Our National Guard has played a vital role in our Nation's security, 
primarily by maintaining the concept of the ``Citizen-Soldier.'' Our 
Nation's founders were distrustful of large standing armies. 
Consequently, the state militias, which later evolved into the National

[[Page 11038]]

Guard, have always served as a working framework that stood by ready to 
supplement and augment the officer core of the regular military in 
times of war.
  The most recent example of this has been the long-standing 
contribution the Army National Guard has made to the peacekeeping 
deployment in the Balkans. The Army National Guard units have performed 
an important supporting role backing up our active duty forces in those 
hazardous operations.
  National Guard members face far more unpredictable military service 
than their active duty counterparts. The nature of their job requires 
them to be ``on call'' and ready to deploy overseas at a moments 
notice. As such, smooth deployments are dependent on the cooperation of 
both guard-member families and employers.
  This resolution, in recognition of these factors, commends the 
sacrifices made by the families of guard-members and their civilian 
employers.
  It also recognizes the increasingly vital role the Army National 
Guard plays in our Nation's national security.
  Accordingly, Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join in 
supporting this measure honoring our Country's National Guard.
  Mr. ORTIZ. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H. Con. Res. 154 which 
honors our commitment to the Army National Guard combat units deployed 
in support of Army operations in Bosnia.
  I have a special appreciation for this resolution today on two 
levels. As the Ranking Democrat on the House Military Readiness 
Subcommittee, issues of how to supplement the everyday personnel needs 
of our troops is a vital issue for us. Through the citizen soldiers of 
the National Guard, we are able to keep an all-volunteer force, which 
is as it should be in a free democratic Nation, and we have moved into 
the history-making realm by introducing National Guard troops into 
active component combat forces, as well as multinational forces.
  On another level, for Texas, the knowledge that the 49th ``Lone 
Star'' Texas National Guard Armored Division in Bosnia was ushering in 
a new era of the composition of active-duty military personnel has made 
patriots in the state extremely proud. However inevitable it was, with 
over half of the Army's strength in the Guard and reserves, the 
decision nevertheless opened a new era for the population of our armed 
forces.
  When the decision was announced, the 49th ``Lone Star'' National 
Guard Armored Division received an amazing number of calls from the 
active components offering help in training. The easy relationship 
between these comrades in arms is the foundation for the success of the 
mission and for future successes in deployments. It also debunks the 
theory that there is a rivalry between the active components and the 
Guard or reserves.
  South Texas has a proud tradition of military and military support. 
This mission of the 49th ``Lone Star'' Division was no different. All 
elements of the 49th ``Lone Star'' Division were deployed through the 
Port of Corpus Christi, which was designated as a strategic sealift 
seaport in 1998. South Texas watched this history happening from the 
front row. We supported the 49th at the outset of their mission, we 
applauded them at its conclusion, and we recognized the historic nature 
of the deployments of the Guard and reserves to front lines of our 
country's military deployments overseas.
  South Texas support the National Guard and the reserves, we 
understand their commitment to our national security, and we thank them 
for their service to our nation. We honor their sacrifice, realize 
their critical importance to the country and we support providing the 
necessary resources to ensure their continued readiness condition.
  I thank my colleagues for their work on this resolution.
  Mr. CHAMBLISS. Madam Speaker, I support this resolution to honor our 
National Guard troops in Bosnia. Especially the men and women of 
Georgia's 48th Brigade now serving in Bosnia. Georgia's National Guard 
has a long and cherished military history dating back as far as the 
1730's. From helping to secure American independence, to the Spanish 
American War to World War I and II, to Korea, Vietnam, and the Persian 
Gulf, Georgia's National Guard has played an important role in 
protecting the defending American interests around the world.
  From the headquarters and part of the 148th Forward Support Battalion 
in Macon to the 2nd Battalion of Company A of the 121st Infantry based 
in Moultrie and Valdosta, the 48th Infantry Brigade (Mechanized) 
continues to honor its past by proudly serving in Bosnia. The men and 
women of the 48th have spent months undergoing extensive training and 
preparation for this deployment. They have put their jobs and family 
lives on hold and all told will have been away from their homes and 
families for almost a year.
  Today, we say thank you to the families and employers for their 
sacrifices in supporting our National Guard. And we say thank you and 
God bless you to the citizen soldiers who are doing such an outstanding 
job to support U.S. peacekeeping efforts in the Balkans.
  Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of House 
Concurrent Resolution 154, a resolution honoring the continued 
commitment of the Army National Guard combat units deployed in Bosnia 
and recognizing the sacrifices made by these units.
  Madam Speaker, as our country moved away from the cold war, we made a 
conscious decision to lower the size of our active duty forces. At the 
same time, as a matter of policy, we maintained our goal of fighting 
two simultaneous wars. The only way we could achieve both goals was to 
increase our reliance on our national guard and military reserve units.
  For years, national guard and reserve units were thought of safe as 
ways to fulfill military service obligations or collect a little extra 
money every month. For decades that was true. Each drilling reservist 
or national guardsman reported for duty one weekend a month and two 
weeks per year, and that was all we asked of them. That whole concept 
of being a reservist changed during the 1990s, a decade in which our 
reserve and guard units were called to active duty time and time again 
including places such as the Middle East, Africa, and of course Bosnia.
  Every time we as a nation call up a reserve unit, the vast majority 
of the members of that unit are pulled away from their families and 
jobs here in the United States. In addition to the personal sacrifices 
these individuals make, often times there is a monetary sacrifice as 
well. With everything we ask of our reserve and national guard 
personnel, they truly do deserve special recognition, and I am pleased 
to stand before our nation today and say thank you.
  To every member of a national guard unit, to every reservist, to 
their families, and to every employer who hires or employs a member of 
a guard or reserve unit, I say thank you for your support of our 
nation. As the only super-power, the United States is expected to 
provide leadership in distant locations throughout the world. We have 
done this unilaterally, and as members of multi-national forces. When 
the nation has called, our citizen-soldiers have responded and continue 
to respond. We all owe them a debt of gratitude, and again I say thank 
you.
  Mr. BUYER. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Con. Res 
154, honoring National Guard Combat units deployed in support of 
operations in Bosnia.
  I know the commitments and sacrifice that the citizen soldiers and 
their families must make in supporting the defense of this great 
nation.
  I have done my share of traveling and I have visited with my fellow 
soldiers in the National Guard, both in my congressional capacity and 
in my Reserve capacity.
  As such, I am well aware how the National Guard contributes to 
national security.
  Believe me, it is a story that needs to be shared with hometown USA, 
and more importantly, with Members of Congress.
  Today's National Guard is an essential component of the Total Force.
  No longer a force in reserve; the National Guard is integral to all 
operations today.
  In fact, it is a force in readiness.
  Because the military today cannot perform its missions without the 
support and augmentation of the National Guard, it is being used more 
frequently, and to a greater extent than ever before.
  Since we started sending soldiers to Bosnia in 1995, the National 
Guard has assumed an every increasing role in that deployment.
  In fact, the Bosnia operation marks a pivotal point in this nation's 
military history.
  It marks the first time that a National Guard division headquarters 
served as the command and control element of Active Army component and 
multi-national forces in the Post Cold War.
  This is truly remarkable!
  According to the Department of Defense, our NATO partners, and the 
population in Bosnia, one cannot tell the difference between the 
National Guardsmen, and the soldiers of the active component.
  By any measure, our National Guard personnel have performed extremely 
well, completing vital missions and bringing critical, and in some 
cases unique, skills to this operation.
  Operations in the Balkans are proof that our reserve forces cannot be 
viewed as low priority units for manpower, equipment, and funding.

[[Page 11039]]

  That is a luxury we cannot afford.
  H. Con. Res. 154 is a reminder to all of us in this body, to all the 
leaders in the Pentagon, and to all Americans that the National Guard 
is critical to the defense of this nation, and we must support our 
reserve component forces if we hope to be victorious in the future.
  I urge my colleagues to adopt this resolution.
  Mr. GREEN of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of the 
resolution. I would like to thank the gentleman from Georgia who 
introduced this legislation for this opportunity to honor the 
commitment and courage of the Army National Guard units that continue 
to serve as part of the NATO peacekeeping forces in Bosnia.
  In April of 2000, during our Easter recess, I had the opportunity to 
visit the soldiers of the 49th ``Lone Star'' Armored Division of the 
Texas National Guard, during their tour of duty in Bosnia.
  This unit recorded a first in Army history, as it was the first time 
that a National Guard division headquarters was the command and control 
element of active duty component forces as well as multinational 
forces. These Texas citizen-soldiers acquitted themselves with honor 
and proved that the Guard is a reliable part of our armed forces.
  The soldiers in these units aren't the only ones who deserve 
recognition. These men and women would not be able to serve without the 
sacrifices made by their families, who do without a spouse or parent, 
or their employers, who lose the service of a valued employee, for the 
length of their tour.
  This mission underscores the value of the National Guard and Reserve 
to the security of the United States. As members of Congress, we 
recognize the benefit of the National Guard and Reserve and I hope that 
we will recognize the needs of these units so that they can continue to 
be an effective component of our armed services.
  Mr. BEREUTER. Madam Speaker, this Member rises to express support for 
H. Con. Res. 154, recognizing the role of Army National Guard combat 
units operating in Bosnia. The distinguished gentleman from Georgia 
(Mr. Collins) is to be commended for introducing this legislation which 
also recognizes the sacrifices of reservists' families during arduous 
deployments.
  Additionally, this Member wishes to use this occasion to recognize 
the crucial role Army National Guard support units play in NATO 
peacekeeping missions. Simply, the Army National Guard combat units 
cannot perform their overseas duties without the assistance of support 
units. For example, the 24th Medical Company, which is based in this 
Member's district and is comprised of reservists from Nebraska and 
Kansas, deployed to Bosnia in 1999. During its deployment, the company 
provided key medical assistance for NATO forces. In one instance, the 
company even found itself rescuing a combat unit which found itself 
trapped in a minefield. To avoid detonation of the mines, the combat 
unit stood on the hood of its vehicle as the 24th Medical Company 
lowered its helicopter and whisked the other unit to safety. Support 
units often are placed into precarious situations and are deserving of 
recognition for their efforts beyond their routine duties.
  Madam Speaker, legislation such as H. Con. Res. 154 offers Congress 
an opportunity to reaffirm the important role of all National Guard 
combat and support such units in each of the armed services.
  Ms. SANCHEZ. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. THORNBERRY. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mrs. Biggert). The question is on the motion 
offered by the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Thornberry) that the House 
suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution, H. Con. Res. 
154.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds of 
those present have voted in the affirmative.
  Mr. THORNBERRY. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.

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