Congressman Collin Peterson -- Minnesota's Seventh Congressional District
Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 7, 2006
CONTACT: 
Allison Myhre/218-731-1657

Peterson pays tribute to Minnesota National Guard

(Washington, DC) - This week, U.S. Rep. Collin Peterson spoke on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives to congratulate and pay tribute to the Minnesota National Guard on its 150th Anniversary. The text of his remarks follow:

EXTENSION OF REMARKS


Congratulating the Minnesota National Guard 
On its 150th Anniversary


Mr. Peterson of Minnesota: Mr. Speaker, on April 17, Minnesota National Guard will celebrate its 150th Anniversary. It is with great pride that I rise today to pay tribute to the Minnesota National Guard and its past, present and future soldiers. 

The Minnesota National Guard has a rich history. It is two years older than the State of Minnesota itself and it has participated in every major military action this country has been involved in, including the Civil War, both World Wars, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Operation Enduring Freedom. 

Today, as we honor the Minnesota National Guard, over 2,600 of its soldiers have recently been deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. While they are away we will keep them in our thoughts and prayers and look forward to their safe return.

The Minnesota National Guard is made up of the finest men and women this country has and they take pride in the fact this nation calls on them to serve.

I also would like to recognize and thank their families and loved ones, their community and their employers. They too, are sacrificing in the service of our country. 

I would also like to honor and thank the members of the Minnesota National Guard who are being deployed to communities along the Red River of the North and its tributaries to assist with flood control. In my district floods are a frequent reminder of how much the Minnesota National Guard does for us on the home front. They are well prepared and always there for us when we need them. 

I also want to applaud the State of Minnesota which has undertaken the conscientious policy of providing pay differential to its State employees who serve in the National Guard. Of the approximately 12,000 National Guard Members in the State, about 500 of them work for the State of Minnesota and their lives, and the lives of their families during the difficult time of activation has been made a little easier but Minnesota’s pay differential policy. 

Mr. Speaker, I am a cosponsor and strong supporter of legislation that would allow the Federal Government to follow Minnesota and provide pay differential for Federal employees activated in the Guard and Reserve, and I hope that this body will pass this legislation soon, because it has worked well in Minnesota and I know it will work well in the rest of the country.

Once again, I congratulate the Minnesota National Guard on its 150th Anniversary and thank the all men and women who have served the State of Minnesota and the Nation as members of this patriotic and courageous institution.


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