Introduction of the District of Columbia National Guard Retention and College Access Act

Floor Speech

INTRODUCTION OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA NATIONAL GUARD RETENTION AND COLLEGE ACCESS ACT -- (Extensions of Remarks - May 07, 2009)

SPEECH OF HON. ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

* Ms. NORTON. Madam Speaker, I told the District of Columbia National Guard 547th Transportation Company, who deployed to Iraq last Saturday, that I would introduce two D.C. National Guard bills this week in their honor. Therefore, today I first introduce the District of Columbia National Guard Retention and College Access Act, NGRCA, a bill to permanently authorize funding for a program to provide grants for secondary education tuition to the members of the D.C. National Guard. I also introduce the District of Columbia Executive National Guard Act to give the mayor of the District of Columbia authority to call the D.C. National Guard for assistance with natural disasters and non-security civil disturbances. NGRCA authorizes an education incentive program, recommended by former Major General David Wherley and his successor, Major General Errol Schwartz, who suggested that education grants would be useful in stemming the troublesome loss of members of the D.C. Guard to units, in part, because surrounding states offer such educational benefits. I am grateful that the Appropriations Committee has allocated appropriation funds in some years, with smaller contribution from the District, in the Defense Authorization bill. An authorization is necessary to assure that the D.C. National Guard members receive equal treatment and benefits to other National Guard members on a regular basis, especially with surrounding states that do, in fact, have the higher education benefits we seek for D.C. National Guard members. The Guard for the Nation's Capital is severely under-competing for members from the pool of regional residents, who find membership in the Maryland and Virginia Guards more beneficial. A competitive tuition assistance program for the D.C. National Guard will provide significant incentive and leverage to help counteract declining enrollment and level the field of competition.

* The D.C. National Guard, a federal instrument that is not under the control of the mayor of the District of Columbia (but see District of Columbia Executive National Guard Act), is losing personnel to other Guards, partly because it is not able to offer the same level of benefits that adjacent National Guards provide. The federal government supports most other D.C. National Guard functions and should support this small benefit as well.

* The small education incentives in my bill would not only encourage high quality recruits, but would have the important benefit of helping the D.C. National Guard to maintain the force necessary to protect the federal presence, including Members of Congress, the Supreme Court, and visitors, if an attack on the Nation's Capital should occur. I am pleased to introduce this bill on the advice of Guard personnel who know best what is necessary.

* A strong D.C. National Guard able to attract the best soldiers is especially important given the unique mission of the D.C. National Guard to protect the federal presence in addition to D.C. residents. This responsibility distinguishes the D.C. National Guard from any other National Guard. The D.C. National Guard is specially and specifically trained to meet its unique mission.

* I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

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