[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 20]
[Senate]
[Page 28021]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                     THE ARMED FORCES RELIEF TRUST

  Mr. GRAHAM of South Carolina. I rise today to commend an initiative 
recently launched by the National Association of Broadcasters and its 
local radio and television station members.
  With more than 140,000 military personnel stationed in Afghanistan, 
Iraq and around the world, the resources needed to take care of our 
troops and their families are strained. As an Air Force reservist, I 
have seen firsthand the financial and emotional difficulties that many 
families face when a family member is on an extended deployment.
  Of course, the military takes care of its own. But, as the war on 
terror continues and needs escalate, the military cannot do it alone. 
To respond to this growing need, the four military aid societies have 
joined together to create a single umbrella organization: the Armed 
Forces Relief Trust.
  In support of this new relief organization, local commercial radio 
and television stations are airing radio and television public service 
announcements, asking viewers and listeners to contribute to the Trust. 
The over-the-air broadcast medium continues to be the most effective 
way to rapidly disseminate information to the public. Last year, the 
four military emergency assistance programs disbursed more than $109 
million in interest-free loans and grants to more than 145,000 
individuals and families in need. With the help of America's local 
radio and television stations, I am convinced that the Trust will be 
able to assist even more military families.
  I applaud the efforts of local broadcasters to support the families 
of those who defend us every day.

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