[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 19]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 25478-25479]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




        HONORING EMPLOYERS OF NATIONAL GUARDSMEN AND RESERVISTS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. GIL GUTKNECHT

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 8, 2005

  Mr. GUTKNECHT. Mr. Speaker, I share my strong support for H. Res. 
302, honoring the employers of National Guardsmen and Reservists who 
have been called to active duty.
  Today, 1.3 million Americans serve in the Guard and Reserve, 
representing nearly half of our total military force.
  Since Sept. 11, 2001, Minnesota National Guard members have served on 
active duty supporting operations in more than 30 countries around the 
world. This fall, 2,600 Guard members from the 34th Infantry Division's 
1st Brigade Combat Team were activated for service in Iraq.
  Their 18-month mission will take them away from family and friends, 
their careers and their everyday lives. They will miss birthdays and 
anniversaries, holidays and school plays, a baby's first steps and 
home-cooked meals. However, these soldiers could not perform their 
mission without the support of their civilian employers.
  In 1972, President Nixon established the National Committee for 
Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR). In Minnesota, there 
are 140 ESGR volunteers who promote the value of Guard and Reserve 
employees.
  Last year, the State of Minnesota received the Defense Secretary's 
Employer Support Freedom Award for its programs supporting activated 
service members. The State, for example, makes up the difference 
between a reservist's active-duty pay and his or her State salary.
  The Minnesota Timberwolves organization are another outstanding 
example of a business that supports the Guard and Reserve. In 2004, the 
Timberwolves received the ESGR's ``Outstanding Corporate Citizen 
Award.'' This year, the Timberwolves are hosting a ``Salute to the 
Armed Forces'' event at the Target Center on Nov. 9. The team donated 
more than 1,200 tickets for the month of November so military personnel 
can attend a game.
  Support of the Guard and Reserve also takes place at the local level. 
This year, the New Ulm Police Department and Immanuel St. Joseph 
Hospital in Mankato, received ``Above and Beyond'' awards for their 
ongoing support of reserve employees. More than 475 Minnesota employers 
were nominated for this national award. Only 23 received this 
prestigious award.
  Mr. Speaker, one of America's great strengths is the unselfish 
courage of the citizen who steps forward, puts on the uniform

[[Page 25479]]

and stands ready to face danger. It is that quality, more than any 
other, which has kept us free for more than 200 years.
  We must commend the tens of thousands of American businesses who 
willingly employ members of the National Guard and Reserve. It is this 
essential alliance and shared sacrifice that keeps America and much of 
the world free.

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