[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 54 (Thursday, May 4, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E639]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        WELCOME HOME MEMBERS OF THE 69TH PRESS CAMP HEADQUARTERS

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                           HON. MIKE THOMPSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 4, 2000

  Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to join family, 
friends and neighbors in welcoming home the returning members of the 
69th Press Camp Headquarters from their deployment to Bosnia-
Herzegovina and Hungary.
  Comprised of 25 members of the California Army National Guard and the 
Nevada National Guard, the unit, headquartered in Fairfield, was 
mobilized and deployed overseas in September 1999 in support of 
Operation Joint Forge.
  Operating the Coalition Press Information Center at The Eagle Base in 
Tuzla, Bosnia-Herzegovina, as well as the Media Center in Taszar, 
Hungary, the 69th Press Camp Headquarters performed an invaluable role 
keeping the world informed about NATO's military and peacekeeping 
operations.
  Each day, they held press briefings to the international press who, 
in turn, kept citizens everywhere alert to the ongoing operations in 
Bosnia-Herzegovina. They were also responsible for publishing two 
publications, The American Endeavor and The Talon for the benefit of 
both U.S. and NATO forces.
  Mr. Speaker, I note the record that the 69th Press Camp Headquarters 
received the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the NATO Medal and the 
Armed Forces Reserve Medal with ``M'' Device (denoting mobilization). 
But these awards cannot fully convey the heartfelt thanks Americans 
have for the dedication and sacrifice of these Guard members.
  For more than 9 months, these individuals were away from family and 
friends. For more than 9 months, they performed a key role in answering 
questions from skeptics and critics and supplying information about 
NATO's operations--balancing accuracy with operational security needs. 
They did an admirable job.
  But nothing compares to the homecoming they will receive this 
weekend. I am pleased to join family, friends and neighbors in 
welcoming the members of the 69th Press Camp Headquarters and in saying 
``thank you'' and ``job well done.''




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