Washington, D.C. - Rep. Bruce Braley (IA-01) today released the following statement after his vote in support of an amendment designed to address the ISIL threat:

"ISIL is a threat to our country that must be eliminated. Today's vote is an important step toward accomplishing that goal while preventing the United States from involving itself in another extended ground war and nation-building effort.  I will closely follow our mission against these violent terrorists in the weeks and months ahead and do whatever I can to keep all Americans safe and secure."

WASHINGTON, D.C.- (09/12/2014)(readMedia)-- The Illinois Army National Guard's 108th Special Troops Battalion based in Chicago received a national-level Army Award for Excellence in Maintenance (AAME) Sept. 10 during the 10th Annual United States Army Combined Logistics Excellence Award ceremony in Washington, D.C.

The 108th STB, which deployed to Kuwait in January under the 108th Sustainment Brigade in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, placed first in the large-unit category in the 2013 AAME competition. This is the second year since 2011 the unit has received the award.

"The AAME gives recognition and improves overall readiness," said Col. Drew Dukett of Roodhouse, Illinois, the 108th Sust. Bde. commander. "When you have a checklist of what needs to be done per the regulation you have to maintain a high level of readiness and maintenance."

This competition maintains the efforts and progress the 108th has already made in its stride toward efficiency, said Dukett.

"Especially in tough fiscal times, maintenance is vitally important. It preserves our ability to conduct military operations and saves the taxpayer the cost of having to replace Army equipment," said Dukett. "My Soldiers understand this and it has shown in their work. I'm proud of them and their dedication. The AAME award is a reflection of their efforts."

AAME evaluators from Fort Lee, Virgina, conducted onsite inspections in the final phase of the competition earlier this year. Evaluators visited the 108th STB's facilities in both North Riverside and the Northwest Armory near Humboldt Park.

The competition involves a thorough inspection in different areas of the unit including maintenance, supply, training and overall unit readiness. The AAME competition is divided into different phases spanning several months. The 108th STB won maintenance competitions at the state, regional and National Guard Bureau levels.

Competition categories are determined by the number of personnel assigned to a unit or command. Units with 300 or more personnel compete in the large category.

The 20-page nomination packet, required to enter the AAME competition, illustrated the unit's maintenance programs and Soldier readiness. The 108th STB is the first unit in the Illinois National Guard to win in the large category since the 232nd Combat Support Battalion out of Springfield in 2001.

The 108th SB as a whole is no stranger to logistical excellence awards. Units and Solders within the brigade have received awards and citations for excellence in supply, maintenance and combat support operations in recent years.

Capt. Alison Jacobs of Rochester, Illinois, the logistics officer with the 108th STB said the unit's success in the competition reflects the unit's overall dedication to mission readiness and support in Illinois and abroad.

"A major part of the AAME program revolves around units displaying that they are prepared for their mission for internal and external support," Jacobs said. "Being mission ready is especially critical for logistical support units."

Jacobs said it was the team effort that made the 108th STB successful in the AAME competition.

"Success doesn't come from the efforts of one person," said Jacobs. "It's a team dynamic, drawing support throughout the unit, from the leadership to Soldiers in the motor pool. It's not just about reaching the standard, but exceeding it and continuing to maintain that level."

SPRINGFIELD, IL (09/09/2014)(readMedia)-- The Illinois State Military Museum is one of several historic sites in Springfield, Illinois, that will host "The Fiery trial: Civil Rights Stories by Candlelight." Historians will tell stories, by candlelight, about Illinois residents and civil rights events as part of the nation's "Civil War to Civil Rights" 150th commemoration.

WHO:

• The Illinois State Military Museum

WHAT:

• "The Fiery Trial: Civil Rights Stories by Candlelight"

• A stop on a candlelight tour of historic sites in Springfield, Illinois

• The men who mustered into the 29th U.S. Colored Troops Regiment in Quincy in 1863 faced numerous hurdles just to enlist. Learn of the success of these Illinois Soldiers in combat in Virginia at the Battle of the Crater, at the battle of Appomattox and finally in service in Texas. In addition, the museum will be open for self-guided tours.

WHEN:

• 6 p.m.-9 p.m., Sept. 13

WHERE:

• The Illinois State Military Museum, 1301 N. MacArthur Blvd. in Springfield, Ill.

ADDITIONAL INFO:

• Admission and parking are free

• The Illinois Militia dates back to colonial times, making significant contributions to the Revolutionary War period and the largest contribution of personnel to the Union during the Civil War.

ADDITIONAL TOUR LOCATIONS:

• Lincoln Home National Historic Site

• Elijah Iles House

• Lincoln Tomb and War Memorial State Historic Site

• Old State Capitol State Historic Site

• Dana-Thomas House Historic Site

• Vachel Lindsay Home State Historic Site

For additional information, please contact the Illinois State Military Museum at 217-761-3910.

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Congressman: The Guard deserves the funding they need

Washington, D.C. - As a budget shortfall potentially threatens the Iowa National Guard's September training exercises, Rep. Bruce Braley (IA-01) today pushed the House Appropriations Committee to approve a reallocation of funds that would allow the Guard to hold its scheduled drills.

A high participation rate in previous training exercises this year, along with higher than expected training costs, has contributed to a $2.4 million budget shortfall in the Iowa National Guard's budget. If that shortfall is not addressed, it could jeopardize Guard drills scheduled for September. It is expected that the National Guard will submit a reprogramming request that will allow them to transfer money between accounts, allowing the proposed drill to go forward as scheduled.

"It's important that the Iowa National Guard has the resources they need to conduct their scheduled exercises?and that members of the Guard who rely on income from this training aren't exposed to unnecessary financial hardship," Braley said. "The Iowa National Guard has done a tremendous service to our state, both domestically and abroad, and it's important that they have the funding they need."

Braley's letter to leaders of the House Appropriations Committee urges them to approve any reprogramming request made by the Guard that would allow them to carry out their currently scheduled exercises.

"After all the sacrifices made by our brave men and women in uniform, we should do everything in our power to ensure that the National Guard has the funds required to carry out their scheduled training sessions," Braley wrote.

Braley has been a consistent advocate for Iowa's National Guard. This year, he repeatedly fought proposed cuts to the Iowa National Guard, citing their work on behalf of Iowans in the aftermath of natural disasters and in combat deployments outside the United States. In December of 2012 he joined Rep. Tom Latham in efforts to block cuts to the Des Moines Air National Guard.

A copy of Braley's letter is available below.

September 4, 2014

The Honorable Rodney Frelinghuysen              The Honorable Peter Visclosky

Chairman                                                           Ranking Member

Subcommittee on Defense                                Subcommittee on Defense

Committee on Appropriations                            Committee on Appropriations

H-405 Capitol Building                                       1016 Longworth HOB

Washington, DC 20515                                      Washington, DC 20515

Dear Chairman Frelinghuysen and Ranking Member Visclosky,

It has come to my attention that The National Guard has an approximate $101 million funding shortfall for the remainder of the fiscal year, with the Iowa National Guard's portion of the shortfall totaling roughly $2.4 million. This has raised the possibility of canceling scheduled training drills for the month of September.

The possibility of cancelling drills is extremely troubling and would lead to a loss of income for Guard members?many of whom rely on the income for basic necessities. After all the sacrifices made by our brave men and women in uniform, we should do everything in our power to ensure that the National Guard has the funds required to carry out their scheduled training sessions. I urge you to remedy this issue by swiftly approving any reprogramming request submitted by the National Guard.

Thank you for your consideration on this important matter and I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,