Title: 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.
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security

Summary:
This resolution recognizes the efforts of the late Representative 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. It recognizes the service of, and honors the sacrifices made by, these dogs and soldier handlers from the tactical explosive detection dog program.

[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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