Senator Hutchison -- Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 20, 2000
CONTACT: Lisette McSoud Mondello

SENATOR HUTCHISON'S CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION
LEAVES FOR BOSNIA REGION
- Group to Visit Texas' National Guard Troops on Duty -

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- A congressional delegation led by Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison left Washington today to visit U.S. military troops in the Balkans over Easter weekend, including soldiers serving with Texas' 49th National Guard Armored Division. Nearly one-third of the Texas congressional delegation is joining Senator Hutchison on this trip, the highlight of which will be Easter Sunrise Services with the troops.

"The right place to be this Easter weekend is with our troops serving overseas," said Senator Hutchison, who serves on the Senate Defense Appropriations Subcommittee. The delegation will visit with U.S. troops and assess the effectiveness of U.S. policy in the region.

The delegation departed Andrews Air Force Base today. In addition to Senator Hutchison, the delegation includes: Representatives Martin Frost (D-24th), Chet Edwards (D-11th), Sam Johnson (R-3rd), Gene Green (D-29th), Kevin Brady (R-8th), Silvestre Reyes (D-16th) and Max Sandlin (D-1st). Also traveling with the Texas delegation are Senator Jeff Sessions (R-AL), a member of the Armed Services Committee, Lieutenant General R. C. Davis, Chief of the National Guard Bureau and Major General Daniel James, Texas Adjutant General.

"We are proud that Texas National Guard citizen-soldiers were chosen for this mission," said Senator Hutchison. "It's important that we hear about it directly from the troops themselves and to let them know that we appreciate and support the soldiers and their service."

The Army picked the 49th National Guard Armored Division to relieve active duty Army units in Bosnia. The 49th, headquartered in Austin, is the first guard unit ever to provide the command and control for an active-duty maneuver unit. They are the headquarters for the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment out of Ft. Carson, Colorado. The 3rd Cavalry is doing the actual patrolling in Bosnia.