Concurrent resolution commending the members of the Nevada Army and Air National Guard and the Nevada Reserve members of the Armed Forces for their dedicated, unselfish, and professional service, commitment, and sacrifices to the State of Nevada and the United States during more than five years of deployments to and in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to

the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 358) commending the members of the Nevada Army National Guard and Air National Guard for their service to the State of Nevada and the United States, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on the resolution under consideration.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I consume.

I rise in support of House Concurrent Resolution 358 which commends the members of the Nevada Reserve components for their service to the State of Nevada and the United States of America.

More than 1,600 brave members of Nevada's Army and Army Air National Guard have been deployed as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom since May of 2003. In addition, more than 1,500 Nevada residents have been mobilized as members of the Army Reserve, Navy Reserve, Air Force Reserve, Marine Corps Reserve, and Coast Guard Reserve. The courageous servicemen and women of Nevada come closest to embodying the motto of their great State, ``All for our country.''

These heroes risk their lives and make tremendous personal sacrifices to protect our Nation and our freedom. Many have served extended tours of duty in active combat zones or provided invaluable support to our forces abroad. Beyond their military role, these men and women assume a myriad of responsibilities on behalf of our communities. From fighting wildfires to civic support, from drug enforcement, to search and rescue, it is their dedication and professionalism which we honor today.

Take the members of 1st Battalion, 221st Cavalry, operating out of Las Vegas, who added a distinguished new chapter to their unit's rich history--dating back to the early days of the Nevada Territory--with their service in Iraq from May 2006 to July 2007. Or consider the invaluable support of the men and women of the 321st Signal Company, based in Reno, who operated and maintained crucial digital communications equipment during their deployment to Kuwait and Iraq from December of 2003 to March of 2005. We honor them.

Consider the 777th Engineer Company, deployed to Kuwait from May of 2003 to 2004, and the 1864th Transportation Company, deployed to Kuwait from July 2004 to November 2005. We pay tribute to D Company, 113th Aviation, who brought their experience of desert conditions in the Sierra Nevada to their trials in Afghanistan from January of 2005 to June of 2006, and to Detachment 45, Operational Support Airlift, deployed to Kuwait from February to October 2005.

We thank the members of the 593rd Transportation Company out of Stead, Nevada, who braved IEDs and ambushes in Iraq from July 2006 to October 2007. They were joined in Iraq by the men and women of the 140th Military Police Detachment, based in Henderson, Nevada, who deployed from February to April, 2008. Much needed support was provided by the 152nd Airlift Wing and 152nd Intelligence Squadron, deployed to Iraq from September of 2005 to 2006, and again from February 2007 to March 2008. And, finally, the members of the 232nd Operations Squadron, based in Las Vegas, Nevada, who are currently deployed as part of ongoing operations in Afghanistan and Iraq.

These brave men and women have answered the call of their country, their State, and their community with honor, bravery, and great skill. Their sacrifices, through extended and repeated deployments far from families and loved ones, deserve our highest respect and our deepest gratitude.

I therefore trust you shall join me in support of this resolution, a small token of our heartfelt thanks.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to my good friend and colleague, a member of the Veterans' Affairs Committee, who I know is very proud of Nevada's Reserve components, the gentlelady from Nevada (Ms. Berkley).

Mr. Speaker, at this time, I have no further requests for time and am prepared to my close after my colleague has yielded back. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I would also yield back the balance of my time.

I want to express my appreciation to the gentlewoman from Virginia for yielding time and thank her for her kind remarks and also to my colleagues from Indiana and, of course, from southern Nevada (Ms. Berkley) for the remarks that she made. Thank you very much.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in order to honor and thank the members of the Nevada Army National Guard, Air National Guard and the members of the Nevada Reserve for their service to the State of Nevada and the United States. Members of the Nevada National Guard and Reserve serve our State and country with honor and distinction. Whether they are saving lives during natural disasters or protecting our country abroad, Nevadans and our Nation owe our Guardsmen and Reservists a debt of gratitude for their service. America must remain committed to our men and women overseas, and I pray for the safe return of every servicemember of the United States.

Today I consider it a privilege to offer this resolution along with the Nevada House Delegation, Ms. Berkley and Mr. Porter, in order to honor some of Nevada's finest citizens.

As we all know, the people who make the greatest sacrifices for our country are the brave men and women of our Armed Forces. Very often this means servicemembers are deployed for extended periods of time away from family, children, and friends, sometimes in hostile conditions. In addition, when members of the National Guard deploy, their families are not the only ones that are affected. Since our servicemembers live and work in their hometowns throughout Nevada, employers and communities are also affected by these deployments. I would like to recognize and thank those employers who have displayed patriotism by saving positions for returning servicemembers and supporting the servicemembers' families during this time.

The Nevada National Guard is regarded as a technically and tactically proficient fighting force fully capable of seamlessly serving alongside active duty personnel. Nevada's Guardsmen and Reservists have bravely served both domestically and abroad in support of the global war on terrorism.

The Nevada National Guard has experienced both triumphant and disappointing moments during the past few years. Most of the Nevada National Guard's wartime deployments have been in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. The Nevada National Guard has had the pleasure of welcoming hundreds of our airmen and soldiers home from worldwide deployments but also has had the sorrowful task of mourning the loss of three Army Guard combat casualties, the first casualties for the Nevada National Guard since World War II.

At this time, I want to extend my deepest condolences to family members of Chief Warrant Officer John Flynn, Sergeant Patrick Stewart, and Specialist Anthony Cometa who lost their lives in defense of our country. Generations of Nevadans will enjoy greater peace and security because of the sacrifices of John, Patrick, and Anthony.

Despite trying times, I am proud of the accomplishments of the Nevada Guard during the past 5 years. The Nevada National Guard pledges to fulfill its commitment to the citizens of the Silver State and the Nation in the same conscientious and professional manner they have maintained for nearly 150 years.

I support all our men and women in uniform. From the Middle East to Fallon Naval Air Force Station and Nellis Air Force Base, our troops are doing an excellent job of protecting Americans from new threats. Recognizing the sacrifices our troops have made in the past and continue to make today is critical for every citizen.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support House Resolution 358 and honor the bravery of America's best servicemembers.

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleague, Congressman Ellsworth, for giving me a few moments of his time in order to sing the praises of Nevada's National Guard. I particularly want to thank my colleague from Nevada, Dean Heller, for having the good sense and good taste to introduce this resolution honoring our National Guard. I am very grateful to him for that.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of this resolution and in deep gratitude to the members of the Nevada National Guard who have made so many sacrifices to serve our country and my home State of Nevada.

Since 9/11, more than 1,850 of our soldiers have mobilized to support the operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. That's 64 percent of our Nevada Guardsmen deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan. As we speak, 263 Nevada National Guard members are serving on active duty in support of a number of operations around the world, with 136 of them currently serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.

These brave men and women have had to endure years of separation in long and difficult tours of duty overseas. Their service takes an enormous toll on them and their families, and this resolution is just a small token of our appreciation. Some of them have made the ultimate sacrifice, and for that we will forever be in their debt and the debt of their loved ones.

I want to highlight the actions of just one of these brave soldiers. Specialist Douglas Pierce of the 221st Cavalry was recently presented the Army Commendation Medal with Valor for his actions in Iraq on June 3, 2007. Specialist Pierce was providing escort security when his convoy came under attack. After escorting the convoy out of danger, Pierce returned to the area under enemy fire to provide medical aid to wounded soldiers. He didn't have to go back into the area, but because of his brave action, one of the soldiers he assisted is alive today and recovering at Walter Reed Hospital.

I am also proud that this Congress is giving back to those like Specialist Pierce who have served our country so bravely. We recently updated the GI Bill for the 21st century, increasing education benefits for those who have served since 9/11, including reservists and members of our National Guard. We have once again restored our promise to our veterans by guaranteeing a 4-year education for those returning from Iraq and Afghanistan and providing members of the National Guard with the tools they need to succeed in the workplace. And, at long last, we have finally given the same benefits to our National Guardsmen as we have long provided the rest of our Armed Forces.

Mr. Speaker, the debt we owe to our soldiers can never be fully repaid, but I hope this Congress, and I'm confident that this Congress, will continue to support them as much as we possibly can.

I urge support for this resolution. Before I yield back, I want to thank my colleague from Nevada once again, Mr. Heller, for introducing this resolution. I appreciate it, and I know the Guardsmen and their families do as well.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I might consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of House Concurrent Resolution 358, as amended, which recognizes the National Guard and Reserve members from Nevada for their extraordinary service, not only to their State but also to this country.

I want to thank my fellow Republican, Mr. Heller of Nevada, for introducing this resolution. All of America should be proud of what the citizen soldiers of Nevada have accomplished while mobilized and deployed for or in support of the war on terror. Since 2003, more than 3,100 people from the Nevada National Guard and Reserves have performed above and beyond the call of duty in both Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. They have served in combatant support roles putting their lives on hold while serving the country they swore to protect. They temporarily left their families and jobs behind to support the needs of the country, and they should be recognized and thanked for their sacrifice.

I would also like to thank the families of these brave men and women, for they become military families when this country needs them the most. They provide essential support to those National Guard and Reserve men and women. For that, we are forever grateful.

Since the earliest days of this great Nation, we have required a strong military, a military that is ready and willing to protect the Nation's interests. The Nevada Army National Guard and Reserves are essential to that strong military. They have always acted gallantly when called upon in any situation.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support House Concurrent Resolution

358 and pay respects to the brave men and women of the State of Nevada.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield as much time as he may consume to the gentleman from Nevada (Mr. Heller).

Mr. Speaker, I have no additional speakers, and I yield back the balance of my time.