Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2015
Floor Speech
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Mr. HECK of Washington. Mr. Chairman, as the ranking member may be aware, Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps programs are conducted at schools throughout our great Nation.
They are traditionally led by retired military officers and enlisted personnel, and the program prepares high school students for leadership roles. JROTC teaches the young men and women the kind of discipline and self-confidence required to succeed outside the classroom.
In my congressional district is Shelton High School, which successfully operated their Navy JROTC program for 35 years. One year, they dropped three students below the minimum threshold, were placed on probation, and yet, despite the subsequent year exceeding the enrollment threshold, they were required to get to the end of the line, notwithstanding the 35 years of successful operation.
I don't think Shelton High School ought to have to do that. I don't think any high school in the United States ought to have to do that.
The Shelton High School Navy JROTC program provided unmatched leadership opportunities for students, and it instilled exactly the kind of values we want to instill in young people: patriotism, national service, and a sense of accomplishment and responsibility.
Additionally, this JROTC program, in its community, served as the color guard at community events and helped provide volunteers for community organizations. Its absence is now being acutely felt throughout all of the county.
So I respectfully request that we somehow find a way to work together to ensure the Navy has the necessary funds to support these programs at Shelton High School and throughout the Nation.
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Mr. HECK of Washington. I thank the gentleman for agreeing to work with us, and I thank you and the chairman for your excellent work on this legislation, which I look forward to supporting.
I also want you to know that, when you tell me you will work with me, I know it to be the case because both of you are men of your word.
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