[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 56 (Tuesday, April 8, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E707]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING TENNESSEE'S NATIONAL GUARD TROOPS FOR SERVICE TO OUR NATION

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOHN S. TANNER

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, April 8, 2003

  Mr. TANNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend the thousands of men 
and women who serve in the Tennessee National Guard, many of whom have 
dutifully answered the call to serve our country in this time of war.
  In Tennessee, we have always been proud of our strong volunteer 
spirit, made famous when volunteers from Tennessee traveled with Davy 
Crockett in 1836 to defend the Alamo in Texas' fight for independence. 
Today, the volunteer spirit is still alive, and one fine example is in 
the more than 14,000 men and women who serve in the Tennessee Army 
National Guard and Tennessee Air National Guard, under the leadership 
of Tennessee Adjutant General Gus Hargett.
  I have had the privilege of working alongside Tennessee National 
Guard members during my 26 years in the Tennessee Army National Guard. 
I know from working with these men and women that their dedication to 
Tennessee and to our nation is unequaled. That dedication has been 
proven time and time again.
  Immediately following the attacks on our nation on September 11, 
2001, members of the Tennessee National Guard responded. Guard members 
secured airports and Tennessee landmarks, refueled fighters for battle 
and prepared for deployment overseas. The 164th Airlift Wing from 
Memphis deployed four C-141 aircraft within 20 hours of the attacks. 
The 118th Airlift Wing helped save the life of a small child on 
September 11th of that year by transporting a liver transplant from 
Nashville to Texas.
  Now, thousands of Tennessee's National Guard troops are again 
answering the call to duty, leaving their families, homes and jobs to 
serve our country in its time of need.
  Mr. Speaker, I hope you will join me in honoring the thousands of 
Tennessee volunteers who are serving our country honorably as members 
of the Tennessee National Guard.

                          ____________________