Norton Introduces Major General David F. Wherley, Jr., District of Columbia National Guard Retention and College Access Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) introduced her bill to permanently authorize funding for the Major General David F. Wherley, Jr., District of Columbia National Guard Retention and College Access Program, which provides tuition and other financial assistance for higher education to members of the D.C. National GuardThe program was recommended by Major General Wherley before he was killed in 2009 and his successor at the D.C. National Guard to stem the loss of D.C. National Guard members to other units in surrounding states that offer higher education assistance to their members.

"While I am grateful that Congress has consistently provided funding for this program, this bill would authorize permanent funding for members of the D.C. National Guard to pursue higher education," Norton said. "Permanent authorization would help ensure the D.C. National Guard receives the same benefits as other National Guards and help the D.C. National Guard recruit and retain members."

Norton's introductory statement follows.

Statement of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton on the

Introduction of the Major General David F. Wherley, Jr.,

District of Columbia National Guard Retention

and College Access Program Act

July 15, 2024

Today, I introduce the Major General David F. Wherley, Jr., District of Columbia National Guard Retention and College Access Program Act. This bill would permanently authorize funding for the Major General David F. Wherley, Jr., District of Columbia National Guard Retention and College Access Program, which provides financial assistance for higher education to members of the D.C. National Guard, which is an exclusively federal entity.

This program and bill are named for Major General David F. Wherley, Jr., former Commanding General of the D.C. National Guard, who, along with his wife, Ann, and seven others were tragically killed when Metro trains collided on the Red Line on June 22, 2009. I named this bill for Major General Wherley because he worked tirelessly with me for many years to get funding for this program, and because of his devotion to D.C. youth and to the D.C. National Guard.

This program was recommended by Major General Wherley and his successor at the D.C. National Guard, Major General Errol Schwartz, to stem the troublesome loss of D.C. National Guard members to other units, including National Guards in surrounding states that offer financial assistance for higher education to their members. I am grateful that Congress has consistently provided funding for this program, most recently $600,000 in fiscal year 2024. Permanently authorizing this program will help ensure that members of the D.C. National Guard receive the same benefits as members of other National Guards and help the D.C. National Guard recruit and retain members.

This program not only benefits D.C. National Guard members, the great majority of whom live in Maryland or Virginia, but also helps the D.C. National Guard to maintain the force necessary to protect the federal presence in D.C.

I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

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