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.

IV 116TH CONGRESS 1ST SESSION H. CON. RES. 43 Recognizing the honorable service of military working dogs and soldier han- dlers 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 enforce- ment 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 mili- tary working dogs to the Department of Defense and other government agencies; VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:10 May 23, 2019 Jkt 089200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\HC43.IH HC43 pbinns on DSK79D2C42PROD with BILLS 2 •HCON 43 IH Whereas in 2010, the operational needs of the Army for mili- tary working dogs increased without an increase in re- sources to train a sufficient number of dogs for the detec- tion 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 explo- sive device detection dogs for use in Afghanistan as part of Operation Enduring Freedom; Whereas the tactical explosive detection dog program was cre- ated to reduce casualties from improvised explosive de- vices 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 se- lected and trained soldiers from deploying units to serve as temporary handlers for only the duration of deploy- ment 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 termi- nated 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 pol- VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:10 May 23, 2019 Jkt 089200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\HC43.IH HC43 pbinns on DSK79D2C42PROD with BILLS 3 •HCON 43 IH icy 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 trans- ferred to other government agencies, 46 dogs were trans- ferred to law enforcement agencies, and 9 dogs were de- ceased; Whereas the disposition of tactical explosive detection dogs was poorly executed, proper procedures outlined in De- partment of Defense policy were ignored, and, as a re- sult, 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 adop- tion applications to mitigate handler and civilian adoption issues; Whereas section 342(b) of the National Defense Authoriza- tion Act for Fiscal Year 2016 (Public Law 114–92; 129 VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:10 May 23, 2019 Jkt 089200 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\HC43.IH HC43 pbinns on DSK79D2C42PROD with BILLS 4 •HCON 43 IH 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 pref- erence, respectively, to former handlers, other persons ca- pable of humanely caring for the animal, and law en- forcement 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 work- ing dogs reach retirement; Whereas Congressman Walter B. Jones was a strong pro- ponent 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-trau- matic stress; VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:10 May 23, 2019 Jkt 089200 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\HC43.IH HC43 pbinns on DSK79D2C42PROD with BILLS 5 •HCON 43 IH Whereas the advocacy of Congressman Walter B. Jones for military working dogs is well known throughout the non- profit community that supports military working dogs; Whereas Congressman Walter B. Jones worked with the De- partment of Defense and the Senate to update the lan- guage in the Air Force Manual on Military Working Dogs to clarify that military working dogs are not equip- ment 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 legisla- tive sponsor of the Military Working Dog Teams Monu- ment, 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 Mili- tary Working Dog Teams National Monument: Now, therefore, be it— Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 1 concurring), That Congress— 2 (1) recognizes the efforts of Congressman Wal- 3 ter B. Jones to promote military working dogs as 4 unsung heroes on the battlefield and in helping 5 wounded warriors recover from physical and mental 6 injuries; 7 VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:10 May 23, 2019 Jkt 089200 PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\HC43.IH HC43 pbinns on DSK79D2C42PROD with BILLS 6 •HCON 43 IH (2) recognizes the service of military working 1 dogs and soldier handlers from the tactical explosive 2 detection dog program; 3 (3) acknowledges that not all tactical explosive 4 detection dogs were adopted by their former soldier 5 handlers; 6 (4) encourages the Army and other government 7 agencies, including law enforcement agencies, with 8 former tactical explosive detection dogs to prioritize 9 adoption to former tactical explosive detection dog 10 handlers; and 11 (5) honors the sacrifices made by tactical explo- 12 sive detection dogs and their soldier handlers in 13 combat. 14 Æ VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:10 May 23, 2019 Jkt 089200 PO 00000 Frm 00006 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6301 E:\BILLS\HC43.IH HC43 pbinns on DSK79D2C42PROD with BILLS