Wednesday, July 2, 2008                                                    Contact: Andrea Wuebker/Laena Fallon

GREGG COSPONSORS BILL TO RAMP UP THE POWERS OF THE NATIONAL GUARD

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Judd Gregg (R-NH) today announced his support for S. 2760, the National Guard Empowerment and State-National Defense Integration Act of 2008.  This bipartisan legislation would provide the National Guard with increased status within the Department of Defense.  It would ensure that military and homeland security activities of the National Guard receive the attention they deserve as they work to protect our nation.  The proposal would elevate the Chief of the National Guard to the rank of a four-star General and provide a seat for the Chief of the National Guard Bureau on the Joint Chiefs of Staff.  Additionally, it would ensure that the Guard and the state’s Governors are in a direct chain of communication with the President and Secretary of Defense on issues of national security, budgeting, as well as the use of military during response to national disasters.

                Senator Gregg stated, “The men and women of the National Guard make extraordinary sacrifices and commitments to keep our nation safe. As the National Guard continues to be an important part of our national defense, it is critical that the leadership of the Guard has an influential voice in how the men and women of the Guard are trained, equipped and utilized.  This bill provides that necessary increase in authority.  Whether serving here in New Hampshire, responding to natural disasters, assisting in keeping our borders safe or fighting the war on terror in Iraq and Afghanistan, the citizen soldiers and airmen of the New Hampshire National Guard are serving our state and our nation with honor.  They have earned and deserve the authority and support that this bill provides.”

Major General Kenneth R. Clark, Adjutant General of the New Hampshire National Guard, stated, “Senator Judd Gregg has been an ardent supporter of the nation’s military and a strong advocate for the New Hampshire National Guard as recognized by his co-sponsoring of S.2760.  As a former Governor of New Hampshire, Executive Councilor, a Member of the U.S. House of Representatives, and a U.S. Senator, he has a clear understanding and unobstructed view of the impact and importance of this legislation upon the security and defense of our state and nation.  The passage of the National Guard Empowerment Act provision of the fiscal year (FY) 2008 National Defense Authorization Act contained perhaps the most significant legislative changes affecting the National Guard in recent history. 

“The provisions contained in S.2760, National Guard Empowerment and State-National Defense Act of 2008, continue to elevate the National Guard to its appropriate status in the domestic and foreign defense of our state and of our nation.  Providing each state’s National Guard with the ability and resources to work and plan with state emergency planners to validate and identify essential equipment gaps, develop doctrine for assisting civil authorities in state emergencies, and assuring our nation’s governors maintain “tactical control” over state and federal forces during state emergencies are some of the critical steps afforded by this new legislation.  Additionally, this legislation appropriately recognizes that the Adjutant General receive Joint Service Credit for their service and experience aligning them with active duty peers for potential appointments into joint command positions.  I wish to express my gratitude to Senator Gregg for his valued and continued support.”