[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 69 (Thursday, May 16, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E826]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            BOSSES' DAY 1996

                                 ______


                          HON. DAVID E. BONIOR

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 16, 1996

  Mr. BONIOR. Mr. Speaker, in the Tenth Congressional District of 
Michigan, the personnel at Selfridge Air National Guard Base have 
served in the defense of the United States for over 78 years. 
Currently, Selfridge personnel are helping bring peace to the former 
Yugoslavia. I am proud to say that members of the Air Force Reserve's 
927 Air Refueling Wing--927 ARW--which is stationed at Selfridge, were 
the first reservists to volunteer this past December for the ``Joint 
Endeavor Express'' from the United States to Germany.
  Selfridge Air National Guard Base is one of the Nation's oldest and 
most historic military installations. It is named after Lt. Thomas 
Etholen Selfridge. Lieutenant Selfridge was the first military officer 
to pilot a heavier-than-air, engine-driven aircraft. While flying with 
Orville Wright on September 17, 1908, Lieutenant Selfridge, 
unfortunately, became the first officer to meet his death in powered 
flight. Wright survived only after a lengthy stay in the hospital.
  Selfridge Field was activated as a military installation in 1917, 3 
months after the United States entered World War I. In 1947, when the 
Air Force became a separate service, Selfridge Field became Selfridge 
Air Force Base and had grown from a 640-acre leased parcel of land to a 
permanent 3,600-acre base.
  In 1971, the base was transferred to the Michigan Air National Guard 
and received its current name. As the home of many diversified units, 
``Team Selfridge'' takes pride in being the only Reserve Forces base to 
have permanently assigned units from all five of the uniformed 
services: the Air Force, Army, Marine Corps, Navy, and the Coast Guard. 
The Air Force Reserve and the Air National Guard also have units at the 
base.
  This Saturday, May 18, 1996, the 927th is recognizing the employers 
who support its Reserve and Guard employees. Even though the deployment 
of these employees may cause financial and organizational strain, in 
times of need, their employers have subordinated company interests to 
those of the Nation. I applaud these employers for their sacrifice and 
commitment.
  National Guard and Reserve Forces comprise almost half of our 
Nation's defense capability and are essential to national security. 
And, as is being demonstrated in Bosnia-Herzegovina, they are also 
essential to peace. ``The mission of the 927th ARW is to extend the 
Global Reach of United States air power through trained personnel and 
mission ready equipment.'' As the first to volunteer in support of 
``Joint Endeavor,'' the 927th moved more than 6 tons of supplies in 
their first three missions--not only extending air power but offering a 
hand in peace.
  These citizen-soldiers and airmen train vigorously and stand 
shoulder-to-shoulder with their active duty counterparts in order to be 
ready to meet the Nation's call at a moment's notice. And, their 
civilian bosses must also be ready, in a moment's notice, to see some 
of their best employees answer that call.
  Civilian bosses and supervisors of Reserve component soldiers, 
sailors, airmen, and marines have continued to pledge their active 
support. Thanks to their commitment, our National Guard and Reserve 
members have been able to fulfill their military missions.
  Our National Guard and Reserve Forces, as demonstrated in operation 
``Joint Endeavor,'' are playing a greater and more diverse role than 
probably ever imagined by Lieutenant Selfridge. And with the vital 
support of America's employers, the National Guard and Reserves will be 
able to fulfill their ultimate mission of maintaining peace.
  As a measure of our thanks, we should celebrate the significant 
contributions of our National Guard and Reserve employers. I urge my 
colleagues and all Americans to join me in honoring employers of 
National Guard and Reserve members by remembering May 18, 1996, as 
Bosses' Day. And I encourage the American people to express their 
gratitude to these employers for their extraordinary sacrifices on 
behalf of our Nation.

                          ____________________