[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 17412-17413]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                    GUARDIANS OF FREEDOM ACT OF 2010

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. NICK J. RAHALL II

                            of west virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 29, 2010

  Mr. RAHALL. Madam Speaker, today, I rise on behalf of all of 
America's National Guard and proudly introduce the Guardians of Freedom 
Act of 2010--a bill to elevate the Chief of the National Guard Bureau 
to a position on the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
  The National Guard is one of our nation's longest standing 
institutions, empowered by Congress and providing to the states a 
highly trained and well equipped force to protect life and property.
  Over the course of its nearly four hundred year history, the National 
Guard has remained a dual state-Federal force, providing security on 
the home front and fighting threats to our Nation and our freedoms all 
over the globe.
  Our National Guardsmen are true American patriots. Theirs is a proud 
story of tradition, service, sacrifice, and uncommon acts of heroism. 
They make each of us so very proud.
  Aristotle said, ``Men acquire a particular quality by constantly 
acting a particular way . . . you become just, by performing just 
actions . . . brave by performing brave actions.''
  The American people owe an enormous debt of gratitude to our 362,192 
men and women members of the National Guard in service to these great 
United States. These extraordinary individuals maintain the Guard's 
multi-mission role--providing nearly 33 percent of America's combat 
power globally. Yet, simultaneously and with great skill, from 
approximately 3,400 community-based armories they serve their fellow 
citizens in defense of our homeland, and in support to states and local 
civil authorities and emergency response needs.
  For decades there has been a significant evolution in the missions 
and capabilities of the National Guard. As Major General Allen E. 
Tackett, the Adjutant General of the West Virginia National Guard so 
appropriately states, ``Not since World War II has the Guard been so 
vital to the overseas mission and not since the founding of our Nation 
has the Guard been so vital to the defense of our homeland.''
  Madam Speaker, for 34 years I have been privileged to represent the 
people of southern West Virginia, and it is with humble sincerity I 
say, our West Virginia National Guard is a model example of the 
training, commitment to excellence and professional dedication to 
America's defense.
  From the home front to the front lines, we call upon our National 
Guard to fulfill missions of public safety and security on and between 
our borders here at home, and send them to foreign lands to combat 
terrorism abroad. They are among the first called to aid in a domestic 
disaster and have often times been the last to leave a battlefield.
  This year the National Guard marks its 374th birthday. Formed as 
colonial militias, the new colonies in North America depended upon the 
Guard to protect fellow citizens from Indian attack, foreign invaders, 
and later to help achieve our independence. Recognizing the militia's 
role for the newly formed United States, the Framers of the 
Constitution empowered Congress to provide for training and equipping 
the militias.
  Since founding and through an historic journey of ``call outs'' and 
stand out missions--from the bayou communities ravaged by Hurricane 
Katrina to the frontiers of freedom during the Cold War, our National 
Guard has seen its Federal mission change.
  Our National Guard has a duty and commitment to the citizens and 
communities of the states in which these soldiers call ``family'' and 
``home.'' It is a military service tradition that has been challenged 
by long-term and multiple deployments to front lines in two active 
theaters, and in support of missions in all corners of the globe as 
directed by our Nation's Commander in Chief.
  Therefore, it is not only our duty it is an absolute necessity, that 
Congress take action to elevate the Chief of the National Guard Bureau 
to a position on the Joint Chiefs of Staff to serve as an advocate and 
liaison for the National Guard of each State to inform of all actions 
that could affect their Federal or State missions.
  In a Nation such as ours, it is a stunning reality that today we ask 
our brothers and sisters, husbands, and wives to serve around the

[[Page 17413]]

 globe to preserve democracy and promote freedom. But in our country, 
where every voice counts, our Nation's active duty leadership excludes 
the voice of the Chief of the National Guard Bureau.
  Congress must ensure the National Guard has appropriate input during 
the planning and budgetary process within the Department of Defense, 
and end the challenge to live with ``after-the-fact'' process, as is 
now the case.
  As a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Chief of the National 
Guard Bureau would have responsibility and authority to advocate and 
coordinate the Guard's warfighting support and force provider mission 
with its homeland security and support missions to ensure the Guard has 
the resources to perform its multiple missions and fulfill its 
Constitutional role to our states.
  Creating a Veterans' preference in the Transportation sector is very 
simple. It seeks to give America's veterans an opportunity advantage in 
the contracting process for their service to our country--a means to 
attach importance and to acknowledge our fellow Americans who have put 
their life on the line to preserve our way of life.
  Madam Speaker, from the battlefield to the home fields, our National 
Guard--America's patriots--exemplifies sacrifice and commitment to 
duty.
  I urge my colleagues to vote for Guardians for Freedom Act of 2010--
so that we may respectfully and gratefully fulfill our duty to support 
the original intent of our Constitution for each state to maintain an 
organized militia with integrity--and, effectively support and 
acknowledge the great sacrifice so many willingly make for all of us.

                          ____________________