[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 61 (Monday, May 7, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Page S4415]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         EXCELLENCE IN NORTH CAROLINA'S MILITARY INSTALLATIONS

  Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, from time to time historians like to engage 
in a sort of parlor game in speculating whether circumstances create 
great leaders or whether leaders serve as the catalyst for great 
change.
  In my view, there's no doubt that greatness springs from the 
character of individuals. President Reagan understood this fundamental 
truth. He also understood that the American people, particularly the 
men and women in our armed services, will meet any challenge with 
proper encouragement to strive for excellence.
  Ronald Reagan's faith in the American people enabled him to inspire 
our citizens and to restore our collective confidence at a critical 
time in America's history. Inheriting a military in decline and a 
nation said to be in a ``malaise'' by his immediate predecessor, 
President Reagan chose not to shrink from the enormous challenges 
facing our Nation.
  Instead, he stood firm in his resolve. Overcoming the predictable 
partisan criticism, he successfully rebuilt our national defense and 
restored United States power and prestige throughout the world.
  In 1984, in rebuilding our military, President Reagan established the 
Commander-in-Chief's Annual Award for Installation Excellence. In doing 
so, he issued an open challenge to the men and women responsible for 
defending the United States of America": That they do the ``best job 
with their resources to support our mission,'' and that ``they seek out 
the most imaginative and innovative solutions to the many complex 
problems [they] face.''
  Mr. President, ever since Ronald Reagan's first presentation in 1985, 
the Commander-in-Chief's Award has served as the highest commendation 
for a military installation. It is a tangible recognition of the hard 
work, dedication, innovation, and professionalism of the service-
members and civilians who serve in our armed forces. (In each year 
since, only five awards have been presented only to the most 
outstanding installation of the four service branches and the Defense 
Logistics Agency.)
  This year, for only the second time in history, three installations 
in a single state rose to President Reagan's challenge and were 
presented during the same year with the Commander-in-Chief's Award.
  In ceremonies at the Pentagon last week, Mr. President, 
representatives of Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, Fort Bragg, and Camp 
Lejeune--all three in North Carolina--were present to receive this 
well-deserved recognition on behalf of their respective services.
  Though this is just the second time a state has accomplished this 
remarkable feat, North Carolina installations have been honored 
frequently in previous Commander-in-Chief Award ceremonies. In fact, 
North Carolina installations have won a total of 13 awards, more than 
any other state.
  By the way, Mr. President, North Carolina also has the distinction of 
having been home to the base that has won the award more often than any 
other in the country. While not selected this year, the Cherry Point 
Marine Corps Air Station has won its services' award on six occasions 
overall, four times in the past six years.
  In fact, North Carolina's two Marine Corps bases have so dominated 
the award that they have won it a total of ten times and kept it in our 
state for the past six years.
  Mr. President, I submit that it is no accident that North Carolina's 
military installations fare so well in this annual competition. The 
communities which embrace our bases--Goldsboro, Fayetteville, 
Jacksonville and Havelock--are filled with patriots who do everything 
possible to support the young men and women who put their lives on the 
line to protect our great nation. These North Carolina communities work 
closely with our installation commanders to support their efforts to 
make certain that our servicemen and women have everything they need to 
safely and successfully accomplish their missions and to improve the 
quality of their lives.
  In 1984, President Reagan appealed to the best instincts of the men 
and women in our military when he established this annual award. In so 
doing, he has helped highlight a legacy of excellence among the 
installations in my home state.
  Mr. President, needless to say, I'm extremely proud of our bases and 
communities and their achievements.

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