[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 103 (Monday, July 21, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1459]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

[[Page E1459]]



                   GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS AWARENESS DAY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DAVID E. BONIOR

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 21, 1997

  Mr. BONIOR. Mr. Speaker, in the Tenth Congressional District of 
Michigan, which I have the privilege to represent, the personnel at 
Selfridge Air National Guard Base have served in the defense of the 
United States for over 80 years.
  Selfridge 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.
  Pilots began training at Selfridge Field only 2 weeks after it was 
activated as a military installation in 1917. This was just 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. It 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. It is 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: Air Force (Air National Guard & Air Force Reserve), Army, 
Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard.
  The Team Selfridge community paid tribute to the Government officials 
who support Selfridge Air National Guard base. Selfridge had depended 
on the flexibility and support of Government officials since 1917.
  Reserve forces comprise more than half of our Nation's defense 
capability and are essential to national security. These citizen-
soldiers 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 moments notice.
  Our Reserve forces will play an even greater and more diverse role in 
the times ahead. It is through the vital support of America's 
Government officials that the Reserves will be able to bolster the 
Nation's security.
  August 8, 1997, should be remembered as Michigan Government Officials 
Day. I urge my colleagues to continue their support and express their 
gratitude to the men and women of our Michigan Reserve forces.

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