Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2008 -- Continued

Floor Speech

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2008--Continued -- (Senate - October 03, 2007)

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Mr. SMITH. Madam President, I rise to enter into a colloquy with my good friend, the Senior Senator from Hawaii, chairman of the Senate Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, Mr. Inouye, ranking member of the Senate Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, Senator Stevens, and my colleague from Oregon, Senator Wyden, regarding the need for additional Stryker Brigade Combat Teams in our Army National Guard.

Mr. INOUYE. I would be happy to discuss this important issue with the Senators from Oregon.

Mr. SMITH. Sir, we have all watched with pride the bravery of our men and women in uniform as they defend freedom around the world. We are particularly proud of the members of the National Guard, who fight side-by-side with active duty forces. These guards men and women deserve the same protection and equipment as the active force with which they stand shoulder to shoulder. In combat operations, the Stryker vehicle has performed exceptionally and proven itself to be a superior fighting vehicle that protects the precious lives of our servicemembers. I would like to express my strong support for our guards men and women and ask that the Army ensure that funding for additional Stryker vehicles with the intent of forming a second Stryker Bridge Combat Team for the National Guard figures prominently in immediate planning.

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