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Rep. Jim Hackworth - House District 33
IMMEDIATE RELEASE February
15, 2007
House Members Applaud
National Guard Report;
Filing Deadline Hits for
Putting Bills in Hopper
Budget Hearings set Prior to
Release of Governor’s Appropriations Bill
NASHVILLE (Feb. 15) –
Members of the House of Representatives gave a standing ovation to
Tennessee National Guard Adjutant General Gus Hargett after he declared
that the state militia is “alive, well, and getting better” despite
continuous deployments around the world. Hargett last reported to
legislators on the “State of National Guard” during a floor session in
2003.
“The general’s report
acknowledged problems faced by National Guard members when they are
deployed for two or more terms in war zones. Families and employers also
experience severe hardships because of extended absences. At the same
time, the morale of Tennessee National guardsmen is extremely high. Even
soldiers recuperating from severe combat injuries want to reenlist,”
according to Rep. Hackworth,
D-Anderson County.
The Tennessee Military
Department’s top enlisted officer told legislators that more than 790
National Guard troops are presently serving in such world hot spots as
Iraq, Afghanistan, Kuwait and Kosovo. He noted that state guard units
were dispatched to New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina. Volunteers
from the ranks are also assisting the US Border Patrol in Arizona and
Texas control illegal immigration.
“We learned that
enlistments overall are up 34 percent this year compared to the same
period last year, for a total of 558 enlistees. The ratio of enlistees
without prior service is 3-to-1 to those with military experience, a
surprising reversal of historical trends. Plus, the average age of
enlistees today is younger at 33 years old, compared to 39 years old in
2003,” said Hackworth.
Another factor in
recruiting Tennessee Army National Guardsmen is G-RAP, or the federal
Guard Recruiting Assistance Program. This initiative encourages
National Guard retirees with 20 or more years of service to assist in
recruiting new members. For each new recruit who enlists and reports to
basic training, G-RAP pays $2,000 to the recruiting assistant.
Hargett noted that
Tennessee ranks first in the United States for using G-RAP to meet
manpower goals. He added that more than $2 million has been paid to
recruiter assistants from Tennessee.
Lawmakers received
praise by Hargett for passing the Tennessee National Guard Tuition
Assistance Act in 2004. He explained that this benefit, funded by
federal and state money, has greatly helped retention rates in all four
branches of the state militia.
“More than 2,000
servicemen and women have used this higher education benefit. College
tuition assistance is a proven attraction for many potential recruits
without prior military experience to sign up for duty,” said
Hackworth.
Hargett informed members
of future challenges faced by the state’s Army National Guard, Air
National Guard, Emergency Management Agency and State Guard. These
include mobilizing five units for duty in Iraq and Afghanistan this
summer and needing $140 million for such equipment as M-1 tanks and
Bradley fighting vehicles.
“Today in Tennessee
we’re seeing volunteerism at its finest. Our state national guard truly
lives up to the historical tradition created by Col. John Sevier when he
called for 100 good men and 200 answered. It’s sobering to realize that
10,000 Tennesseans have been deployed for the war on terror since the
Sept. 11 tragedy six years ago,” commented
Hackworth.
In other business,
members put a record number of bills in the hopper as the Feb. 15
legislation filing deadline approached. House committees are now
considering measures that address sales tax exemptions for hybrid
vehicles; various smoking bans; expanded sexual offender registration
requirements; human trafficking crimes; and, an ombudsman’s council that
mediates open government access for citizens.
Lawmakers continue to
closely scrutinize Gov. Phil Bredesen’s new education initiatives and
the 40 cents per pack cigarette tax increase proposed to fund these
initiatives. “The bottom line is that members want to know where the
money goes and what effect it has on the Basic Education Program, or
BEP, and with programs for at-risk children. Members want accountability
for the revenue stream generated by higher tobacco taxes,” said
Hackworth.
The House Finance, Ways
and Means Committee is also hearing an overview of the governor’s budget
plan by David Goetz, Commissioner of Finance and Administration, on Feb.
20. This presentation coincides with the Bredesen administration’s
release the same week of its extensive legislative package, which
includes the 2007-2008 appropriations bill.
CONTACT:
Kenneth Townsend, Press Secretary, House Democratic Caucus,
at 615-741-6620 or email
kenneth.townsend@legislature.state.tn.us.
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