CONGRESSWOMAN CANDICE S. MILLER

Our servicemen and servicewomen serve this country without the promise of fame or fortune.

They do so knowing full well that their safety and security is at risk.

They do so knowing that the demands are unparalleled and that they will be asked to sacrifice their own well-being to protect America's well-being.

It's critical that we *provide* for these men and women. We must - absolutely must - do what's necessary to protect their quality of life and the quality of life of their families.

Quite simply, a country whose military is not ensured a "quality of life" is a country without the strongest possible military.

In recent months, the United States House of Representatives has approved legislation that will provide pay raises for our men and women in service. It will also provide better survivor benefits for relatives and spouses.

Meanwhile, at Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Macomb County, significant improvements are being made. A new dining facility, a state-of-the-art medical facility, and an impressive new Visitor - ID center are all open.

I'm also proud to make an announcement. I have received commitments from the Army-Air Force Exchange Service and the Defense Commissary Agency - to keep the Base Exchange and Commissary open well into the future at Selfridge.

The Base Exchange and Commissary's future was in question for awhile, during the recent military base closure and realignment process. But, after aggressive lobbying by my office, the decision was made to maintain these two great facilities.

The base exchange and commissary provide food, clothing, diapers, and a range of needed family goods for a reduced price and in a convenient location. They offer military families and veterans the types of important services that any family needs when it works under a tight budget.

We in government make decisions everyday on an array of policies and programs too numerous to mention.
But our first priority as a government is to provide for the common defense to protect our nation and our people. Every choice we make, every priority we set, must help achieve that goal.

Our men and women on the frontlines must know that we will do whatever is necessary to support their efforts - from top-of-the-line equipment to top-the-line training.

And they must know that we will always - ALWAYS - look out for their families here at home.

By securing the future of the base exchange and commissary at Selfridge, we have done just that. Only those who've needed and used the B-X and commissary recognize just how important the services are. They help our families - the husbands, wives, and children of those fighting overseas. They help our veterans and our retirees. And they symbolize what is, and what will remain a priority of our federal government: PROTECTING THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF OUR HEROES .... THE MEN AND WOMEN OF THE MILITARY.

If you wish to contact Congresswoman Miller you may reach her in Washington, D.C. at 228 Cannon Building, Washington, D.C. 20515; Phone: 202-225-2106; Fax: 202-226-1169. You may also reach her in Michigan at Van Dyke Ave., Shelby Township, MI 48317; Phone: 586-997-5010; Fax: 586-997-5013.