[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 83 (Monday, May 21, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1100-E1101]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   IN RECOGNITION OF COLONEL ROBERT W. GATES, UNITED STATES AIR FORCE

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JEFF MILLER

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, May 21, 2007

  Mr. MILLER of Florida. Madam Speaker, on behalf of the United States 
Congress, it is an honor for me to rise today in recognition of the 
life and dedicated service of Robert W. ``Bob'' Gates.

[[Page E1101]]

  Robert Gates served this country for 31 years in the United States 
Air Force. Across three wars he flew in hostile skies from D-Day over 
France to the jungles of Vietnam. Colonel Gates was decorated with two 
Legions of Merit, two Distinguished Flying Crosses, the Silver Star, 
the French Croix-de-Guerre, eight Air Medals and a Presidential 
Citation from President Roosevelt. He was the first Commander of the 
1st Special Operations Wing, Hurlburt Field, FL. He commanded Project 
``Ice Skate,'' and successfully built a permanent base with a 5000-foot 
runway on a floating island (called T-3) near the North Pole. 
Additionally, Colonel Gates commanded Task Force HIRAN, which 
established the SHORAN radar tracking stations on the Greenland ice 
cap.
  On May 18 2007, Colonel Gates will add to his lengthy roll of 
accolades the Spirit of Hope Award. In 1942, during Mr. Hope's first 
USO tour, then Lieutenant Gates was assigned to fly Mr. Hope and his 
troupe around the Alaskan and Pacific theaters. Multiple times during 
his career, he piloted Mr. Hope and other USO entertainers. Over these 
years, Colonel Gates and Bob Hope formed a life-long personal 
friendship. Mr. Hope nicknamed Bob Gates ``Growing Pains,'' and often 
referred to him as his son. Bob Hope so inspired the young officer that 
Colonel Gates decided to dedicate his entire life, energy, and 
compassion to helping the spouses and family members of fallen 
comrades, as well as others less fortunate in the Fort Walton Beach, 
Florida area.
  Colonel Gates was instrumental in organizing twelve USO tours to 
raise money for the purchase of 79 acres from nearby Eglin Air Force 
Base to build two world-class assisted living facilities, ``Bob Hope's 
Enlisted Widows Village'' and ``Theresa Village.'' Bob Hope's Village 
includes 256 one, and two-bedroom apartments, gardening plots, a gift 
shop, swimming pool, nature trails, and a community center that seats 
over 400 people. Theresa Village has 123 units with similar facilities. 
In 2003, the Bob and Dolores Hope Foundation donated $1 million to 
build a one-of-a-kind welcome center in honor of Bob Gates' many years 
of support, dedication, and selfless contributions. Colonel Gates is 
often consulted on future facility construction plans, such as building 
future nursing care facilities on the Bob Hope Village complex. 
Additionally, Colonel Gates is an avid contributor and supporter of the 
Fort Walton Beach Children's Society Golf Toumament and auction that 
helps raise funds to support local children's agencies.
  On behalf of a grateful nation, I extend my deep appreciation to 
Robert W. Gates for his service to Florida and our country. As he is 
one of Fort Walton Beach's favorite sons, we are proud to see Bob 
receive the Spirit of Hope Award this year.

                          ____________________