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Yellow Ribbon: Legislation for Veterans
As the father of an Army Blackhawk pilot, the husband of a retired Army nurse, and a 25-year veteran of the Marine Corps, John Kline considers it a personal priority to ensure government keeps its promises to our veterans. Since arriving in Washington in 2003, he has considered it one of his greatest duties in Congress to support our veterans of today and tomorrow.
In January, 2008, John championed “Beyond the Yellow Ribbon” legislation that makes Minnesota’s “Beyond the Yellow Ribbon” reintegration program available to Guard and Reserve units nationwide. For his efforts on behalf of all veterans, the National Guard bureau honored John with one of its highest civilian awards, a “Heritage Painting.”
As a member of the House Armed Services and Intelligence Committees, and the only active-duty career Marine Corps veteran serving in the U.S. House of Representatives, John Kline has been recognized by his colleagues as a leader and valuable resource on defense issues. During his first term in Congress, he led a bipartisan group of his colleagues in successfully defeating a proposal to radically change the length of service and independence of senior officers in the U.S. military leadership. Congressman Kline also authored legislation to protect members of the National Guard and Reserves who are students from student loan and administrative liabilities incurred when they are called to active duty service.
Although this marks his first elected office, John Kline spent several years in Washington during his 25-year career in the U.S. Marine Corps. He distinguished himself as a helicopter pilot and earned the responsibility of flying Marine One, the President’s personal helicopter. John was also hand-picked to serve as a personal military aide to President Jimmy Carter, and subsequently to President Ronald Reagan. John’s responsibilities during this period included advising the President and our country’s senior civilian and military leadership. He was also responsible for carrying the nuclear “football” – the briefcase containing the nuclear war plans and strike options in case of a national emergency.
During his successful career in the Marines, John served as a helicopter pilot in Vietnam, commanded all Marine aviation forces in Operation Restore Hope in Somalia, and served as the Program Development Officer at Headquarters Marine Corps, where he was responsible for the Program Objective Memorandum – the document used by the U.S. Armed Services to submit budgetary and planning proposals. Among his many medals and awards are four Legion of Merit Medals, a Joint Service Commendation Medal, a Naval Commendation Medal, a Meritorious Service Medal, and the Defense Superior Service Award. He retired from the Marine Corps with the rank of Colonel.
To read more about Congressman John Kline's efforts and views on behalf of our veterans, our troops, and ensuring our national security, please click on one of the links below:
Congressman Kline's Solutions
Congressional Delegation Trips (Codels)
In His Own Words
Assistance for Veterans
Congressman Kline supported legislation that requires the VA to screen veterans for traumatic brain injury. It also requires the VA to establish a comprehensive program for long-term care of post-acute traumatic brain injury rehabilitation at the VA’s four polytrauma network sites, including the Minneapolis VA Medical Center.
CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION TRIPS (CODELS)
Demonstrating his continued dedication to the well-being of the men and women of our armed services, John Kline has traveled on numerous Congressional Delegation (CODEL) trips, which have enabled him to observe and evaluate our nation’s foreign policy in action.
- John traveled to Iraq in 2003 and Kosovo in 2004 to visit U.S. troops and meet with military and civilian leadership stationed there.
- Just days before the Iraqi elections in January 2005, John led a congressional delegation to Afghanistan and Iraq. During this trip he was able to assess the progress of U.S. operations in support of the emerging democracies in those nations, evaluate the tremendous success of elections in Afghanistan, and survey conditions on the eve of elections in Iraq. Based on his personal observations on the ground, John correctly predicted the success of the Iraqi elections that occurred just days after his visit.
- In 2006, John led a congressional delegation to Iraq – his fourth Codel – to assess the progress of the unity government and the work being done by the Iraqi Security Forces, as well as visit members of the Minnesota National Guard.
- In 2007, in the wake of General David Petraeus and Ambassador Ryan Crocker’s assessments of Iraq, John traveled with a congressional delegation to Iraq and Afghanistan to see for himself the latest developments and current ground conditions.
- In February, 2008, John traveled with a congressional delegation to Afghanistan where he met with high ranking military officials to discuss progress being made by Provincial Reconstruction Teams (PRTs) in rebuilding Afghanistan. “To improve the infrastructure and security there, we must empower local government officials and increase civilian participation,” Kline said after the trip. “Enhancing the security of Afghanistan also requires an increase in support from our NATO allies.”
A look at Congressman Kline’s op-eds focusing on our veterans of today and tomorrow:
- Feb. 6, 2009: Minnesota National Guard Once Again Accepts the Call of History
- June 23, 2008: GI Bill Represents a Victory For Our Troops, Our Veterans, and All Americans
- May 20, 2008: Memorial Day a Time To Commemorate our Fallen Soldiers
- Dec. 14, 2007: Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program Passes in Time For the Holidays
- Nov. 2, 2007: Honor Our Veterans in Time For Veterans Day; Pass the Veterans Funding Bill
- Sept. 24, 2007: We Remain Committed to Assisting Minnesota National Guard
- April 23, 2007: Minnesota Guard Reintegration Program Should Be Made Available Nationwide
- Dec. 1, 2006: Military Draft Undermines Our Troops
- Sept. 26, 2005: Afghans Show Desire to Courageously Rebuild Their Country and Government.
- March 1, 2005: United States Armed Forces Should Have Every Opportunity to Recruit the Best and Brightest Students
- Nov. 19, 2004: Those Who Serve Today Are Proud To Be Members of a Professional, All-Volunteer Force
- June 25, 2004: Iraqis in Pursuit of a Strong, Independent, Democratic Nation
- April 22, 2004: Help Our Troops Call Home
- May 13, 2004: Actions of a Few Must Not Destroy Our Respect for the Many in Our American Military
- Oct. 27, 2003: We Cannot Afford Failure in Iraq
- Oct. 21, 2003: Good News For Veterans
- May 20, 2003: Why I Opposed the Secretary of Defense
- April 10, 2003: It is Time to Rise Above Partisan Politics, and Unite in Support of our Nation’s Priorities
- April 1, 2003: Now is the Time to Support Our Troops
Veterans Affairs Offices
Website: http://www.visn23.va.gov/