HUNTER NAMED CO-CHAIR OF NATIONAL GUARD AND RESERVE COMPONENTS CAUCUS

November 18, 2010 (Washington, D.C). -- Congressman Congressman Duncan Hunter has been named co-chair of the National Guard and Reserve Components Caucus, replacing Steve Buyer (R-Indiana), who has served as co-chair since the Caucus was started 18 years ago.

 Those who serve our nation in the Guard and Reserve capacity are making enormous contributions to the combat mission overseas," said Hunter, a member of the House Armed Services Committee and veteran of two wars.  "I hope to incorporate many of my own experiences serving in both Iraq and Afghanistan when advocating for the issues that are most important to the men and women of the Guard and Reserve, as well as their families.”

Calling Congressman Buyer “a powerful and reliable voice for America’s armed forces,” Hunter added, “His commitment to our military, whether as a citizen in the Reserves, a member of the House or leader of the Guard and Reserve Caucus, has been exemplary and I know I speak for many of my colleagues when I say his presence and insight will be missed.”
 

Created by Congressman Buyer and then-Congressman Paul McHale 18 years ago, the bipartisan National Guard and Reserve Components Caucus is now over 230 Members strong and is a vigilant and influential advocate for maintaining the readiness of our nation’s Guard and Reserve forces.
 

“It has been a great honor to serve as co-chairman of the Caucus, and as I look toward retirement, it is important that the Caucus continue its important work in capable hands,” Buyer said.
 

Congressman Buyer expressed confidence that Hunter will help represent within Congress a philosophy that recognizes and endorses the vital capabilities provided by our citizen soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines, in the defense of the nation.
 

“Duncan is the first Marine combat veteran of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan to be elected to Congress and currently serves as a Captain in the Marine Reserve. Having recently returned from war and garnering firsthand experience of the challenges faced by our reserve and component members, Duncan is well suited to serve as the Republican co-chair of the Caucus,” added Buyer.