John Mica: “I want to thank you, Chairman McKeon, Ranking Member Smith, and the Armed Services Committee staff for your fine efforts…”

“I want to thank you, Chairman McKeon, Ranking Member Smith, and the Armed Services Committee staff for your fine efforts in bringing this important measure to the floor for our military. I also want to take a moment, and this opportunity, to highlight the importance of modeling and simulation and the role it plays in maintaining our military readiness while being, of course, most cost effective. Last year, in fact, in the National Defense Authorization Act, we put in language, report language, that highlighted modeling and simulation as a cost-effective tool in maintaining a high level of readiness for our military. In response, our armed services have followed suit in utilizing modeling and simulation effectively and continue to do so in current and future programs. While that report language does not appear in this bill, it is important that our military continue utilizing this most cost-effective tool for manpower training. As our Nation faces future threats, it is also critical that we are able to meet those threats with a force that is more capable and more ready for the challenge. Modeling and simulation enables our Nation's fighting men and women to do so, while decreasing costs during a time of budget uncertainty. Mr. Chairman, finally, I would just like to ask that you join me in support of utilizing this vital tool that saves taxpayer dollars and assists our Nation's heroes in training for our defense. Mr. McKEON. Will the gentleman yield?”