[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 43 Introduced in House (IH)]
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116th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. CON. RES. 43
Recognizing the honorable service of military working dogs and soldier
handlers in the tactical explosive detection dog program of the Army
and encouraging the Army and other government agencies, including law
enforcement agencies, with former tactical explosive detection dogs to
prioritize adoption of the dogs to former tactical explosive detection
dog handlers.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
May 22, 2019
Mrs. Walorski submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was
referred to the Committee on Armed Services
_______________________________________________________________________
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
Recognizing the honorable service of military working dogs and soldier
handlers in the tactical explosive detection dog program of the Army
and encouraging the Army and other government agencies, including law
enforcement agencies, with former tactical explosive detection dogs to
prioritize adoption of the dogs to former tactical explosive detection
dog handlers.
Whereas the 341st Training Squadron, 37th Training Wing at Lackland Air Force
Base provides highly trained military working dogs to the Department of
Defense and other government agencies;
Whereas in 2010, the operational needs of the Army for military working dogs
increased without an increase in resources to train a sufficient number
of dogs for the detection of improvised explosive devices at the 341st
Training Squadron;
Whereas the Army initiated the tactical explosive detection dog program in
August 2010 as a nontraditional military working dog program to train
and field improvised explosive device detection dogs for use in
Afghanistan as part of Operation Enduring Freedom;
Whereas the tactical explosive detection dog program was created to reduce
casualties from improvised explosive devices in response to an increase
in the use of asymmetric weapons by the enemy;
Whereas the tactical explosive detection dogs were a unique subset of military
working dogs because the Army selected and trained soldiers from
deploying units to serve as temporary handlers for only the duration of
deployment to Operation Enduring Freedom;
Whereas the tactical explosive detection dogs and their soldier handlers, like
other military working dog and handler teams, formed strong bonds while
training for combat and performing extremely dangerous improvised
explosive device detection missions in service to the United States;
Whereas the tactical explosive detection dog program was a nontraditional
military working dog program that terminated in February 2014;
Whereas at the termination of the tactical explosive detection dog program in
February 2014, neither United States law nor Department of Defense
policy established an adoption order priority, and Department of Defense
policy only provided that military working dogs be adopted by former
handlers, law enforcement agencies, and other persons capable of
humanely caring for the animals;
Whereas an August 2016 report to Congress by the Air Force entitled ``Tactical
Explosive Detector Dog (TEDD) Adoption Report'' concluded that the Army
had a limited transition window for the disposition of tactical
explosive detection dogs and the lack of a formal comprehensive plan
contributed to the disorganized disposition process for the tactical
explosive detection dogs;
Whereas the August 2016 report stated that, in 2014, the Army disposed of 229
tactical explosive detection dogs;
Whereas 40 tactical explosive detection dogs were adopted by handlers, 47 dogs
were adopted by private individuals, 70 dogs were transferred to Army
units, 17 dogs were transferred to other government agencies, 46 dogs
were transferred to law enforcement agencies, and 9 dogs were deceased;
Whereas the disposition of tactical explosive detection dogs was poorly
executed, proper procedures outlined in Department of Defense policy
were ignored, and, as a result, the former soldier handlers were not
provided the opportunity to adopt their tactical explosive detection
dogs;
Whereas the Army should have deliberately planned for the disposition of the
tactical explosive detection dogs and provided appropriate time to
review and consider adoption applications to mitigate handler and
civilian adoption issues;
Whereas section 342(b) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year
2016 (Public Law 114-92; 129 Stat. 793) amended section 2583(c) of title
10, United States Code, to modify the list of persons authorized to
adopt a military animal and prioritize the list with preference,
respectively, to former handlers, other persons capable of humanely
caring for the animal, and law enforcement agencies;
Whereas since 2000, Congress has passed legislation that protects military
working dogs, promotes their welfare, and recognizes the needs of their
veteran handlers;
Whereas Congress continues to provide oversight of military working dogs to
prevent a reoccurrence of the disposition issues that affected tactical
explosive detection dogs;
Whereas former soldier handlers should be reunited with their tactical explosive
detection dogs;
Whereas congressional recognition of the military service of tactical explosive
detection dogs and their former soldier handlers is a small measure of
gratitude this legislative body can convey;
Whereas over 4 years have passed since the termination of the tactical explosive
detection dog program;
Whereas Congressman Walter B. Jones has been a long-time advocate for military
working dogs and their handlers;
Whereas Congressman Walter B. Jones has worked to ensure that handlers are given
priority when their military working dogs reach retirement;
Whereas Congressman Walter B. Jones was a strong proponent of the Wounded
Warrior Service Dog program, which is a valuable program that helps
wounded members of the Armed Forces manage and recover from post-
traumatic stress;
Whereas the advocacy of Congressman Walter B. Jones for military working dogs is
well known throughout the nonprofit community that supports military
working dogs;
Whereas Congressman Walter B. Jones worked with the Department of Defense and
the Senate to update the language in the Air Force Manual on Military
Working Dogs to clarify that military working dogs are not equipment and
to indicates the true level of appreciation and respect the Department
of Defense has for these valuable members of the military team;
Whereas Congressman Walter B. Jones was the chief legislative sponsor of the
Military Working Dog Teams Monument, which was built with no taxpayer
dollars but through corporate and private donations; and
Whereas with the support of Congressman Walter B. Jones, the National Defense
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008 (Public Law 110-181) authorized
the Burnam Foundation to design, fund, build, and maintain the Military
Working Dog Teams National Monument: Now, therefore, be it--
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring),
That Congress--
(1) recognizes the efforts of Congressman Walter B. Jones
to promote military working dogs as unsung heroes on the
battlefield and in helping wounded warriors recover from
physical and mental injuries;
(2) recognizes the service of military working dogs and
soldier handlers from the tactical explosive detection dog
program;
(3) acknowledges that not all tactical explosive detection
dogs were adopted by their former soldier handlers;
(4) encourages the Army and other government agencies,
including law enforcement agencies, with former tactical
explosive detection dogs to prioritize adoption to former
tactical explosive detection dog handlers; and
(5) honors the sacrifices made by tactical explosive
detection dogs and their soldier handlers in combat.
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