Chamber Advocates Strong Partnership between Employer and Reserve Communities

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The United States Chamber of Commerce welcomed congressional efforts to bring more predictability into the federal National Guard and Reserve system so that employers can better manage their businesses while their employees serve our country.

"Employers understand and value the critical role being played by the Guard and Reserve in strengthening our national security," said Andrew Howell, Chamber vice president for Homeland Security. "Greater predictability, however, is vital for businesses in planning for the future as more troops are deployed for longer periods of time."

The Chamber supports a recently submitted resolution by U.S. Rep. Richard Pombo (R-CA) that not only highlights the important role the employer community plays in defense of this nation, but also points out some of the challenges facing the employer community as well. The Pombo resolution recognizes that businesses have and will continue to go beyond the call of duty to assist the nearly 433,000 citizen soldiers that have been called to active duty since Sept. 11, 2001.

"The Pombo resolution is a good first step in a wholesale review of the Reserve component and illustrates some of the concerns faced by Reserve personnel, their families and employers," Howell said. "As our companies stand behind their citizen soldiers, the U.S. Chamber will continue to work with Congress and the Defense Department to add predictability to the mobilization system to assist employers and their employees serving in the Guard and Reserve."

The Chamber continues to urge Congress to name at least one employer to a commission that will be making a comprehensive review of our reserve system. As part of the Fiscal Year 2005 Defense Authorization bill, Congress called for a Commission of the National Guard and Reserve to be made up of thirteen commissioners. The Department of Defense recently selected three members.

The U.S. Chamber is a proud supporter of our troops and a key advocate of the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world's largest business federation representing more than three million businesses and organizations of every size, sector and region.

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