Full-Year Continuing Appropriations Act, 2011

Floor Speech

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Mr. WELCH. I thank the gentleman from Washington.

I stand here today to discuss the Yellow Ribbon Program, which is critical in my home State of Vermont, but it's critical in every State that has returning soldiers from Afghanistan and Iraq.

In Vermont, we have recently welcomed home 1,500 National Guard men and women from a year-long deployment in Afghanistan. The Yellow Ribbon Program, as you know, Mr. Ranking Member, helps deploying and redeploying National Guard and Reserve members and their families when they get home.

Prior to deployment, they educate members and their families in affected communities on what to expect while their loved ones are gone. After deployment, they focus on reconnecting members and their families with service providers such as TRICARE, the Department of Veterans Affairs and Judge Advocate Generals to ensure a clear understanding of the benefits they are entitled to and they need. In addition, combat stress and transition and how members and their families can address these issues are integral to the post-deployment phase.

In Vermont, we have the fourth highest per capita participation rate in the Nation in the National Guard. These are very valuable services that get to the heart of supporting our troops and their families. I hope to work with the subcommittee to ensure that any unmet needs of this program are addressed as expeditiously as possible.

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