[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 160 (Thursday, November 6, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2253]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E2253]]
 CONFERENCE REPORT ON H.R. 2559, MILITARY CONSTRUCTION APPROPRIATIONS 
                               ACT, 2004

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                     HON. LOUISE McINTOSH SLAUGHTER

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 5, 2003

  Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, in response to questions on why I was one 
of five Members to vote against the conference report on H.R. 2259, the 
Military Construction Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2004, I 
prepared the following statement: I voted against yesterday's 
conference report because it fails to include a vital project important 
to our national security on the Northern Border at the Niagara Air 
Reserve Station in Niagara Falls, New York.
  Shortly after being elected to represent part of the Niagara Falls 
Air Reserve Station in Niagara Falls, New York, I visited the base. I 
have become familiar with the service it provides not only to our 
community, but also to the nation. Most recently, I visited for the 
base for the happy occasion of the 914`b Airlift Wing's homecoming from 
deployment. The Air Force Reserve has even publicized the contributions 
of the base by showcasing the decision of 1 st Lieutenant Chris Pfeil, 
Jr. and Staff Sergeant Tim McNelis, both from the 914th Airlift Wing, 
to follow their fathers career's in the military. I ask unanimous 
consent that this article on their service be inserted in the Record. 
Other units stationed in Niagara Falls that are defending the home 
front and serving overseas are the 107th Air Refueling Wing and 
soldiers with the 865th Combat Support Hospital.
  I have worked tirelessly with local officials, as well as my 
counterparts in the Senate, to secure the necessary funding to 
construct a facility at the base. Unfortunately, it appears that this 
project, rated the top priority by Niagara County officials, was not 
included in the final bill for the third year in a row. The fact that 
this funding was included in an earlier version of the bill, and then 
stripped out at the last minute during backroom maneuvers which sent 
the money to another part of New York State, is an insult to our 
democratic process. It seems that only bases represented by Members on 
the committee were funded. This is a disservice to the military 
facility in my district and bases throughout the country. It is a 
disservice to the men and women in uniform from the Niagara Falls Air 
Reserve Station who have been deployed to serve their country in Iraq.
  I could not, in good conscience, support this conference report. 
There is no doubt in my mind that the soldiers, not to mention the 
citizens in Niagara Falls, deserve better than what this bill provided. 
I want to assure the courageous servicepeople at the Niagara Falls Air 
Reserve Station that I am already preparing for the next opportunity to 
remedy this situation.

                  [From afreserve.com, June 17, 2003]

                Like Father, Like Son in Southwest Asia

                      (By Staff Sgt. Pamela Smith)

       Southwest Asia--The decision to follow their fathers into 
     the military wasn't a difficult one for 1st Lt. Chris Pfeil 
     Jr. and Staff Sgt. Tim McNelis, both from the 914th Airlift 
     Wing, Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station, NY.
       ``I was introduced to it very young,'' said Chris Jr., a C-
     130 pilot with the 772nd Expeditionary Airlift Squadron. ``So 
     joining the military was always something I kept in the back 
     of my mind.''
       Pfeil said his father, Senior Master Sgt. Chris Pfeil Sr., 
     a C-130 loadmaster also assigned to the 772nd EAS, never 
     pressured him but set an example for him to follow.
       ``It had to be his decision,'' said Chris Sr., ``and it was 
     important to support him in whatever he chose to do.''
       ``I've always wanted to fly, and this was the best 
     decision,'' Chris Jr. said, ``but he never pushed it.''
       For Tim, a C-130 crew chief assigned to the 320th 
     Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron, it was his father's 
     advice against joining another branch of the service that 
     encouraged him to try the Air Force Reserve Command.
       ``He wanted to join the Marines at first and then he talked 
     about the Army,'' said Senior Master Sgt. Jerry McNelis, a C-
     130 loadmaster with the 772nd EAS, ``but I talked him out of 
     it.''
       Tim said he's happy with the decision he made to join the 
     Reserve because it allowed him to continue with school, and 
     two years ago he was hired as a full-time air reserve 
     technician.
       He also is happy he's had the opportunity to deploy with 
     his father in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and 
     Iraqi Freedom.
       ``It's good to have a family member here,'' Tim said. ``You 
     always have someone to talk to.''
       Knowing that his father will be flying on one of his 
     aircraft also makes him want to go that extra step.
       ``It gives me the incentive to work that much harder 
     knowing my dad is on my plane,'' he said.
       For the Pfeils, being deployed here together has given both 
     of them peace of mind.
       ``Any parent or child is going to be concerned,'' said 
     Chris Sr., ``but when Chris goes on a mission, chances are I 
     was there the day before so I know the environment and what 
     he can expect and that helps.''
       Having each other to lean on during this deployment has 
     been a benefit for both father/son teams, and for the fathers 
     it's an opportunity to see their children follow that much 
     closer in their footsteps.

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