Sanford Bishop: “I'd like to voice my opposition to the amendment sponsored by Mr. Kingston and Ms. McCollum, aimed at banning pro-sports…”

“I'd like to voice my opposition to the amendment sponsored by Mr. Kingston and Ms. McCollum, aimed at banning pro-sports sponsorship by the Department of Defense. Truly, we are in an era where the people's government should take proactive efforts to trim excesses from the budget wherever possible. This measure, Madam Chair, does not attack an excess of government. If accepted, the U.S. Government would be cutting out a proven successful investment in our Nation's military personnel. The Army, the National Guard, and the National Guard Association strongly oppose this amendment. Last year, over 280 Members, in a bipartisan vote, opposed this amendment. {time} 1620 Appropriations Committee Chairman Rogers and Defense Subcommittee Chairman Young have both been opposed to this measure in committee votes and floor votes. Chairman Young has repeatedly said in 2012 that he opposes it. Our military deserves access to the most qualified potential recruits available. A vote in favor of this amendment would handicap our military's recruiting efforts. Starting in 1999, marketing the military through sports opened the door for the DOD's efforts to brand and to showcase their services to a specific target audience. The National Guard cannot advertise on broadcast television, so professional sports sponsorships become an efficient, effective means of reaching target markets for recruiting and retention of citizen soldiers and airmen.…”