Dear Members and Friends,
“I am a strong supporter of missile defense, including the GMD system already deployed in Alaska and California, I think we will eventually prove that this system will be an effective insurance policy against a limited ICBM threat. Moreover, BMD (ballistic missile defense) systems that protect or will protect our troops on the front lines such as PAC-3, THAAD and Aegis. BMD enjoys broad and strong bipartisan support. “

– Congressman Silvestre Reyes

At a sleepy old hotel, a few blocks from the Mexican border in El Paso, Texas MDAA hosted a lunch to honor and recognize Rep. Silvestre Reyes for his championing of missile defense for almost fifteen years.

Congressman Reyes serves as the Chairman of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, a crucial committee which Congress relies on for the assessment and balance of the threat to the United States, our troops deployed overseas and our national security. The congressman also serves as a senior member of the House Armed Services Committee. These two committees have a tremendous impact on the policy direction, level of national support and the development and deployment of missile defense.

The congressmen from Texas has fought for and won important victories for missile defense over the years against critics, Administrations and opposing members of Congress. He has stood up for the preservation, sustainment and growth of Fort Bliss, the birthplace of the U.S. Army’s Air Defense Artillery along with the missile defense test sites at White Sands and McGregor Range. The PATRIOT Air Defense Missile System, which is the core platform of missile defense for the U.S. Army, is a strong recipient of the leadership and continued support of the congressman.

The newest U.S. Army missile defense system, Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD), survived because of the congressman’s leadership and his fight to keep the system alive in the 1990’s. Because of his work in support of THAAD over the years the program has been fully tested with seven successful intercepts. Within a year THAAD should be deployed to the Persian Gulf or Guam protecting our forces, men and women overseas.

In today’s world where the threat of ballistic missiles is continually rising and overwhelming numbers of missiles threaten our forces and allies located in the Persian Gulf, on the Korean Peninsula and in Israel, the U.S. Congress and President Obama have to provide them with enough defensive capabilities. Our troops do not have the proper level of defensive capabilities today.

Our nation needs champions, like Rep. Reyes, to lead the fight to ensure that our forces are properly protected from this growing threat.

Thank you, Rep. Reyes, for making a difference in the safety of our nation and its troops.

Rep. Reyes is a proud Vietnam veteran; he was a Helicopter Crew Chief, 282nd Assault Helicopter Company, known as the “Black Cats.”