[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 62 (Tuesday, May 13, 1997)]
[House]
[Page H2492]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  CONGRATULATING FORT BENNING FOR BEING NAMED 1997 ARMY COMMUNITY OF 
                               EXCELLENCE

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under the Speaker's announced policy of 
January 21, 1997, the gentleman from Georgia [Mr. Collins] is 
recognized during morning hour debates for 5 minutes.
  Mr. COLLINS. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride that I rise today to 
recognize Fort Benning, GA, the ``home of the infantry'' and the Army's 
premier installation, for being named a 1997 community of excellence.
  On May 2, Fort Benning was awarded the Commander in Chief's Award for 
the third time in the last 4 years. This award is given annually to 
recognize the best Army installation in the world. Additionally, on May 
1 Fort Benning was awarded the Chief of Staff Army Award for the fifth 
consecutive year. This award recognizes the best Army installation in 
the Continental United States. Fort Benning is also the sole nominee of 
the 1997 Presidential Award for Quality as the Best Agency in the 
Federal Government.
  These awards are indicative of both the ability and professionalism 
of the tens of thousands of soldiers that pass through Fort Benning's 
gate each and every year, and of the successful partnership that has 
been developed over the years between Fort Benning and the Columbus, 
GA, and Phenix City, AL, districts.
  No military facility can be fully effective without developing a 
positive relationship with the local community. Fort Benning has 
accomplished this, and has developed a military-civilian team that is 
unmatched in efficiency and effectiveness.
  In spite of the fact that the military population of Fort Benning is 
in a continuous state of transition, the installation has been able to 
maintain its high standards of quality. This is, in large part, thanks 
to nearly 7,000 civilians who work behind the scenes to advance Fort 
Benning's mission. These are individuals, like Sarah McLaney, Fort 
Benning's Army Community of Excellence coordinator, who has seen the 
facility receive the Commander in Chief Award under three different 
commanding generals. Dedicated workers like Sarah have been 
instrumental not only in achieving Fort Benning's military mission, but 
also in development of strong ties that bind Fort Benning with the 
Columbus and Phenix City communities.
  General Ernst and his able staff have further reinforced Fort 
Benning's longstanding commitment to military quality, focusing on the 
watchwords ``First in training, first in readiness, and first in 
quality of life.'' Fort Benning soldiers constitute a cornerstone of 
our Nation's Armed Forces.
  Since 1918 Fort Benning has operated the world's foremost military 
institutional training center. As the home of the infantry, Fort 
Benning's mission is to produce the world's finest combat-ready 
infantrymen, to provide the Nation with a power projection platform 
capable of rapid deployment, and to continue the Army's premier 
installation and home for soldiers, families, civilian employees, and 
military retirees. This mission is achieved with distinction on a daily 
basis.
  While the infantry remains the central focus of activity at Fort 
Benning, a number of other types of units have been added over the 
years, enhancing the ability of the installation to accomplish its 
mission.
  In addition to being home of the infantry, Fort Benning now houses 
the Airborne School, the Army Ranger School, the 29th Infantry 
Regiment, a training unit for the Bradley fighting vehicle, the 36th 
Engineer Group, and the U.S. Army School of the Americas. Each of these 
units work tirelessly to defend our national interests around the world 
and to serve our communities at home.
  To the military and civilian personnel of Fort Benning, I offer my 
sincere thanks and congratulations for a job well done.

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