[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 49 (Wednesday, April 26, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Page S2937]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              ELMENDORF AIR FORCE BASE ENVIRONMENTAL AWARD

 Mr. MURKOWSKI. Mr. President, I would like to recognize a 
recent achievement of the men and women at Elmendorf Air Force Base in 
Anchorage, Alaska. Today, they received the Air Force's 1999 General 
Thomas D. White Environmental Award for Restoration. This award 
reflects the commitment of the Air Force in Anchorage to making 
Elmendorf Air Force Base and the surrounding community a better place 
to live.
  Mr. President, the men and women who serve our nation at Elmendorf 
have always been sensitive to the needs of the communities surrounding 
the base. Indeed, all of the Air Force installations in Alaska, have 
gone out of their way to ensure that the environment is not permanently 
harmed by any military presence. Innovative approaches to cleanup have 
resulted in Elmendorf being projected to reach Air Force cleanup goals 
a full ten years ahead of schedule.
  Several measures are in place to improve and speed up the cleanup of 
any future environmental hazards, all at a cost savings of over $1 
million to the taxpayers. All of these efforts have ensured a long 
standing positive relationship with the civilian community and 
preserved the beautiful lands in Alaska for future generations to 
enjoy. For this reason, the Air Force today rewarded the men and women 
at Elmendorf for their diligence.
  Today, the people of Elmendorf can be proud of the fact that they are 
an example by which other Air Force installations around the nation, 
indeed the world, will measure themselves for environmental awareness. 
I join the Air Force in commending those at Elmendorf, like Lieutenant 
General Thomas R. Case and Colonel Duncan H. Showers, who have made 
this possible. I also look forward to continued work with the Air Force 
in Alaska to maintain their excellent relationship with the rest of the 
communities in Alaska.

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