[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 145 (Thursday, October 8, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2497]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 CONGRATULATING DANIEL J. SANTORO UPON RECEIVING THE 2008 CHENEY AWARD

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. KATHY CASTOR

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 8, 2009

  Ms. CASTOR of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor CPT 
Daniel J. Santoro, a member of the Tampa Bay community for receiving 
the 2008 Cheney award for distinguished service in the United States 
Air Force.
  Captain Santoro is a C-130E instructor pilot, assigned to the 37th 
Airlift Squadron, 86th Operations Group, 86th Airlift Wing, at Ramstein 
Air Base in Germany. Captain Santoro was born in Las Vegas, Nevada, 
October 1977; he attended the United States Air Force Academy in 
Colorado Springs, Colorado, graduating in 2000 with a Bachelor's of 
Science in Human Factors Engineering.
  After graduation, Captain Santoro continued his pilot training at 
Whiting Field Naval Air Station, in my home State for Florida. His 
service to our country has taken him to numerous States: Oklahoma, 
Arkansas, and North Carolina where he constantly worked to improve his 
skills to keep our country safe. Often recognized for his leadership 
and tireless dedication, Captain Santoro was assigned to Ramstein Air 
Base in Germany, where he would serve bravely in Operation Enduring 
Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom, among others.
  In 2008, as the Chief Tactics and Instructor Pilot, his squadron 
completed 29 missions and delivered 211 tons of humanitarian cargo, 
including food and hygiene kits, to the country of Georgia. It is 
because of these heroic actions that Captain Santoro is receiving the 
2008 Cheney Award; which is given for an ``act of valor, extreme 
fortitude, or self-sacrifice in a humanitarian interest, performed in 
connection with aircraft, but not necessarily of a military nature, by 
an Air Force officer or enlisted member.'' The award is named after Lt. 
William H. Cheney, who was killed in an air collision in Italy in 1918.
  Madam Speaker, Captain Santoro is a true testament to the bravery and 
the sacrifices made by the men and women in the Armed Forces. His 
accomplishments are significant and an inspiration.

                          ____________________