U.S. Rep. Ken Calvert (R-CA) on March 8 unveiled bipartisan legislation supporting the National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Program (NGYCP).
“I’m proud to cosponsor the Building Success for Youth ChalleNGe Act and help our at-risk youth take advantage of this life changing program,” said Rep. Calvert, the lead original cosponsor of H.R. 1638.
Among the 12 other original cosponsors who joined Rep. Calvert in introducing H.R. 1638, which is sponsored by U.S. Rep. Grace Napolitano (D-CA), was U.S. Rep. Andy Barr (R-KY).
If enacted, H.R. 1638 would authorize the transfer of equipment and facilities from the federal government or a state, tribal or local government to the NGYCP, according to the congressional record.
The NGYCP provides safe, structured environments that promote academic achievement and support at-risk youth in developing leadership traits by teaching life skills, including budgeting, personal hygiene, teamwork, responsibility, and cooperation, among others, according to Rep. Calvert’s statement.
“It’s critical that we support programs like the National Guard’s Youth ChalleNGe that can take young adults who drop out of school and provide them with the skills necessary to become contributing members of our communities,” Rep. Calvert said.
H.R. 1638 would facilitate establishment of an NGYCP in Rep. Calvert’s home-state district of Riverside County, Calif., at the Naval Operational Support Center located at the March Air Reserve Base.
Current federal law prevents the facility being located there but once it’s declared to be an excess facility by the U.S. Navy in two years, H.R. 1638 would permit it to be transferred to the National Guard for use as an NGYCP site, according to the congressman’s statement.
“I’m eager to help bring the Challenge program to Riverside County and March Air Reserve Base to help the at-risk youth in our region,” said Rep. Calvert.
H.R. 1638 has been referred for consideration to the U.S. House Armed Services Committee.