U.S. Naval Base Guantanamo Bay is over 45 square miles and is not only the oldest U.S. base overseas but it is also the only one in a Communist country.  It is located on the southeast corner of Cuba, and is about 400 air miles from Miami, Florida.  For these Guard members it is home because it is where their country needs them to be.  They are an integral part of the 1,700 members of Joint Task Force-160, made up of servicemen and women from the Air Force, Army, Navy, Marines and Coast Guard, and they are all unsung heroes of the war on terrorism.

The 43rd Military Police is a mobilized National Guard unit from my hometown of Warwick, Rhode Island.  They recently made history when, on May 20, 2002, they became the first National Guard unit to assume the role of a joint task force command.  Clearly this demonstrates the ability of the National Guard to seamlessly transition into an active duty command.  This complete integration of a National Guard Unit into a Joint Task Force is a tribute to both the National Guard Bureau and the U.S. Army.

A member of my staff recently had the privilege of visiting these Guard members at Guantanamo.  He told me that it was impossible not to be struck by the professionalism and dedication of these men and women.  Their morale is excellent, despite the incredibly stressful task they have.  They make every daily decision, which affects the lives of 1,700 troops and 564 detainees, and they are our next-door neighbors.  They are accomplishing something they have constantly prepared for but never imagined would become reality in this way.  They have been assigned an awesome challenge and have risen to the occasion.

In recognizing these members of the Rhode Island National Guard, I also want to acknowledge the outstanding support that they receive from their families and their employers.  Most of these Guard members are traditional members, or “weekend warriors”, as they are often known.  Many are self-employed or hold critical positions in their companies.  The extremely unique demand of this war on terrorism is a duty that is shared by employers and employees alike.  Many Guard members expect to be away from their families and jobs for four months, which could impose a significant financial and psychological burden on members at a time when they need to be functioning at 100 percent.  The support they receive is critical to the success of their mission.

I am proud as an American and a Rhode Islander to recognize this partnership in patriotism displayed by the guardsmen of the 43rd Military Police Brigade, their families and their employers in their deployment as part of Joint Task Force 160.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker