WashingtonWatch.com - Revisions for H.R. 2090, The Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program Act of 2007

Revision by NorthStarNancy (October 15, 2008, 12:51:23)

Wed, 15 Oct 2008 11:51:23 EDT

H.R. 2090 would establish the National Guard Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program.

Detailed Summary

Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of Defense to establish a national combat veteran reintegration program (to be known as the Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program) to provide National Guard members and their families with information, services, referral, and outreach opportunities throughout the entire deployment cycle. Requires the Program to consist of informational events and activities for such members, their families, and community members through the following phases of the deployment cycle: (1) pre-deployment; (2) deployment; (3) demobilization; and (4) post-deployment-reconstitution.

Requires the: (1) National Guard Bureau to establish the Office for Reintegration Programs to administer state National Guard reintegration programs; and (2) Bureau Chief to establish a Center for Excellence in Reintegration.

Status of the Legislation

Latest Major Action: 6/20/2007: Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.

Source: http://www.congress.gov/cgi-bi.....34740&

Report on implementation of Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program

The committee directs the Secretary of Defense to submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and House of Representatives by October 1, 2008, a status report on the implementation of the Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program. The report shall include a description, by State, of accomplishments for fiscal year 2008, and those planned for fiscal year 2009. The report shall also include an identification of current and future resource requirements, including personnel, necessary to implement and execute the Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program, as well as a plan for full implementation and oversight of the Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program in all States.

The committee expects that the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness, serving as Executive Agent, will ensure that the program is carried out based on uniform program requirements throughout the United States, and in a manner that equitably serves both National Guard and reserve personnel as required by section 582 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008 (Public law 110-181).

Points in Favor

This program was authorized via the FY 2008 Defense Authorization, HR 4986.

However, neither the President's fiscal year 2009 budget, nor the fiscal year 2008 emergency supplemental request, provided funding for the Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program.

Congressional Democrats fought to include $65.4 million to fully fund the program in the emergency supplemental signed into law in late June 2008. This funding will support the 15 existing programs across the country, and provides a down payment to create programs in the remaining 35 states. This complicated process will need clarity and accountability from Secretary Gates to ensure National Guard members and Reservists returning from combat have the resources they deserve. The Quest to fund the program was led by Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Barbara Mikulski (D-MD).

Other senators that signed a letter to Defense Secretary Gates are listed here: http:klobuchar.senate.gov/newsreleases_detail.cfm?id=301977&

Without federal funding for this program for reintegration of National Guard and Reserve military members, states need to fund their own program to help Guard and Reserve personnel that have been deployed in federal service - or not provide services to them. Guard and Reserve personnel have been deployed in federal service frequenty since 2001

Below is action taken by Oregon to request federal funding:

74th OREGON LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY--2008 Special Session

House Joint Memorial 102

Sponsored by COMMITTEE ON VETERANS' AFFAIRS

SUMMARY: Urges United States Congress to enact and fund Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program.

JOINT MEMORIAL: To the Senate and the House of Representatives of the United States of America, in Congress assembled, the United States Secretary of Defense and the Chief of the National Guard Bureau:
We, your memorialists, the Seventy-fourth Legislative Assembly of the State of Oregon, in special session assembled, respectfully request as follows:

Whereas over 4,000 soldiers from the Oregon National Guard have served overseas, with many of those soldiers serving more than one tour of duty; and

Whereas 3,500 additional Oregon National Guard soldiers are scheduled to deploy to Afghanistan in 2009; and

Whereas the Reserve component of the United States Armed Forces has changed from a strategic reserve to an operational reserve, fully engaged in the global war on terror; and

Whereas Reserve component members face challenges that are inherently different from challenges facing members of the active duty troops; and

Whereas readjustment to civilian life, such as returning to families, hometowns and civilian employment, can be extremely challenging for members of the Reserve components, particularly when members do not have access to the services and resources
that allow them to successfully reintegrate into society; and

Whereas a bill to establish the Yellow Ribbon ReintegrationProgram Act of 2007 was introduced in the United States House of Representatives but the bill has not been enacted or funded; and

Whereas Oregon has instituted a successful reintegration program for members of the Oregon National Guard that is a model for other states to follow but the funds for this program must come from the Oregon National Guard budget; and

Whereas a fully funded federal Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program would allow the Oregon National Guard to hire more staff members; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Legislative Assembly of the State of Oregon:

(1) The Congress of the United States is urged to enact and fund the Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program, which would provide members of the National Guard and the Reserves, and their families, with resources, services, referral and outreach opportunities throughout the deployment cycle.

Source: http:www.leg.state.or.us/08ss1/measures/hjm100.dir/hjm0102.intro.html

Points Against

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Revision by webmaster (August 2, 2007, 02:43:59)

Thu, 02 Aug 2007 01:43:59 EDT

H.R. 2090 would establish the National Guard Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program.

Detailed Summary

Status of the Legislation

Latest Major Action: 6/20/2007: Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.

Points in Favor

(Log in to edit the wiki and be the first to show why the bill should pass!)

Points Against

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Revision by webmaster (June 28, 2007, 13:51:32)

Thu, 28 Jun 2007 12:51:32 EDT

H.R. 2090 would establish the National Guard Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program.

Detailed Summary

(Log in to edit the wiki and be the first to provide a detailed summary of the bill!)

Status of the Legislation

Latest Major Action: 5/1/2007: Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.

Points in Favor

(Log in to edit the wiki and be the first to show why the bill should pass!)

Points Against

(Log in to edit the wiki and be the first to show why the bill should not pass!)

Revision by webmaster (June 28, 2007, 13:51:32)

Thu, 28 Jun 2007 12:51:32 EDT

H.R. 2090 would establish the National Guard Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program.

Detailed Summary

(Log in to edit the wiki and be the first to provide a detailed summary of the bill!)

Status of the Legislation

Latest Major Action: 6/20/2007: Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.

Points in Favor

(Log in to edit the wiki and be the first to show why the bill should pass!)

Points Against

(Log in to edit the wiki and be the first to show why the bill should not pass!)

Revision by webmaster (June 28, 2007, 13:51:32)

Thu, 28 Jun 2007 12:51:32 EDT

H.R. 2090 would establish the National Guard Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program.

Detailed Summary

Status of the Legislation

Latest Major Action: 6/20/2007: Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.

Points in Favor

(Log in to edit the wiki and be the first to show why the bill should pass!)

Points Against

(Log in to edit the wiki and be the first to show why the bill should not pass!)