[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 57 (Tuesday, May 1, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E671-E672]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        NAVAL AIR STATION JACKSONVILLE COMMUNITY SERVICE PROGRAM

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ANDER CRENSHAW

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                          Tuesday, May 1, 2001

  Mr. CRENSHAW. Mr. Speaker, this week I had the honor of participating 
in the Annual Volunteer Service Recognition Program held at Naval Air 
Station Jacksonville, Florida. The event was held to thank and 
acknowledge departments and residents commands at NAS Jacksonville for 
the volunteer work their personnel gave to the local community this 
past year.
  The NAS Jacksonville community service program falls under the larger 
Navy Community Service Program. The NCS program was developed by the 
Chief of Staff of the Navy in 1992 to expand the role of Navy military 
and civilian personnel by encouraging community service projects and 
partnerships that strengthen the academic and personal growth of local 
youth.
  During calendar year 2000, military and civilian personnel of NAS 
Jacksonville contributed 434,457 hours of volunteer service to the 
Jacksonville community. As recently as last year, the House Armed 
Services Committee discussed a certain disconnect that has developed 
between American society and the United States military. The NCS 
program was designed to break down those barriers and enable military 
and civilian military personnel to interact with their local 
communities in constructive ways.
  The Jacksonville community is a wonderful example of a strong 
partnership between the United States armed forces and their neighbors. 
The military and civilian personnel at NAS Jacksonville wholeheartedly 
embraced the opportunity to build a sense of community between 
themselves and the Jacksonville community.

[[Page E672]]

  Today, our youth are exposed to many aspects of life that have 
potentially negative repercussions on their social decisions. Military 
and civilian personnel from NAS Jacksonville have become role models to 
local youth through teaching, coaching, and offering advice. Local 
families can feel more confident about the decisions their children are 
making, NAS Jacksonville personnel are given the opportunity to discuss 
how they contribute to the national security of the United States and 
society is strengthened by the strong community bonds developed.
  Mr. Speaker, in closing I would like to commend the volunteers of the 
Navy Community Service Program and thank the military and civilian 
personnel at NAS Jacksonville for their tireless commitment to their 
local community.

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