For Immediate Release
December 17, 2010
Contact:
Sara Severs
Press Secretary
202-226-1689
Walz to Co-Chair Bipartisan National Guard and Reserve Caucus in 112th Congress
Washington, DC – Today, Representative Walz announced the support of former Co-Chair Gene Taylor and strong support from military and veterans community as he prepares to assume a leadership role in the House National Guard and Reserve Caucus in the next Congress
“As the outgoing co-chair of the Caucus, I am confident that Tim Walz will be a strong voice for our organization within Congress on behalf of the men and women of the Guard and Reserve,” said Rep. Gene Taylor. “As a Guardsman, Tim has more than two decades of firsthand experience with the issues facing the Guard and Reserve. As a Member of Congress, he has quickly built a record as a passionate advocate for all service members and their families. That has earned him the unvarnished respect and support of the military and veterans communities, which will serve him well as he leads this Caucus in the new Congress.”
"Sergeant Major Walz is one of the strongest voices in Congress on veterans issues, and a great partner for those of us active in the Guard and Reserve community," said Co-Chairs of the Military Coalition's Guard and Reserve Committee, Ike Puzon, newly elected Co- Chair Larry Madison, and outgoing Co-Chair Mike Cline. "When we learned that there was going to be an opening in the leadership of this Caucus, we urged him to step up. Speaking on behalf of the millions of service members, veterans, and their families, the Military Coalition looks forward to working with Congressman Walz in this new role."
Representative Duncan Hunter, who will serve as the Republican co-chair of the Caucus in the 112th Congress, said, “I am honored to serve as co-chair of the Guard and Reserve Caucus alongside Tim, who served our country in the National Guard and is also one of the strongest advocates in Congress for our servicemen and women. Tim’s insight and experience make him a perfect fit to help lead the caucus and I look forward to working with him on the issues that matter most to the Guard and Reserve, and its families.” Congressman Hunter is a Marine combat veteran of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Representative Walz is the highest ranking soldier to ever serve in Congress. He served in the National Guard for 24 years, retiring as a Command Sergeant Major. Before retiring, Walz served overseas in Italy with his battalion in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
Walz also has the support of the following organizations as he prepares for this new role:
The National Guard Association of the United States (NGAUS)
The Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the United States (EANGUS)
The Marine Corps Reserve Association (MCRA)
The Association of the US Navy (AUSN)
The Retired Enlisted Association (TREA)
The Reserve Officers Association (ROA)
The Reserve Enlisted Association (REA)