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

INTRODUCTION OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA NATIONAL GUARD RETENTION AND COLLEGE ACCESS ACT -- (Extensions of Remarks - June 08, 2006)

* Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, today I introduce the District of Columbia National Guard Retention and College Access Act, a bill to authorize funding for the College Access program, which provides grants for secondary education tuition to the members of the D.C. National Guard. This bill is the eighth in the ``Free and Equal D.C.'' series of bills to remedy obsolete or inappropriate intervention into the local affairs of the District of Columbia or denials of federal benefits or recognition routinely granted to other jurisdictions. I decided on this bill to authorize an education incentive program after meeting with Major General David Wherley, the Commanding General of the D.C. National Guard (DCNG), who suggested that education grants would be useful in stemming the troublesome loss of members of the DCNG to Guard units in surrounding states that offer such benefits. I am grateful that last Congress, Representative David Hobson understood the importance of educational benefits in retaining appropriate D.C. National Guard levels in our nation's capital and was instrumental in getting a D.C. National Guard educational grant program included in the House version of the Defense Authorization bill. Unfortunately, the program was dropped in conference.

* However, this bill is necessary now more than before because the D.C. National Guard has been experiencing a disproportionate decline in force as compared to the Guards of neighboring jurisdictions, particularly Maryland and Virginia. For example, although National Guards throughout the United States have had difficulty maintaining and increasing their numbers, the decline of the D.C. National Guard has been precipitous. Since 1994, even before the war on terror, statistics show that the D.C. Army Guard has declined 34 percent, as compared to a 26 percent decline for Maryland and Virginia's 16 percent decline. Between 2002 and 2005, the D.C. Air Guard experienced a 6 percent decline, as compared to Maryland's 5 percent decline and Virginia's 2 percent increase.

* The declining D.C. National Guard enrollment is especially serious given the unique mission of the D.C. National Guard to protect the federal presence. 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.

* The D.C. National Guard, a federal instrument, is losing personnel to other guards because it is not able to offer the same level of benefits that adjacent National Guards provide. The DCNG is severely under-competing for members from the pool of regional residents, who find membership in the MD and VA Guards much more attractive. 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 small education incentives in my bill would not only encourage high quality recruits; this benefit would have the important benefit of helping the DCNG to maintain the force necessary to protect 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 advice of Guard personnel who know best what is necessary.

* I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

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