[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 182 (Monday, December 7, 2009)]
[House]
[Pages H13529-H13530]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




RECOGNIZING THE AIR FORCE AND DYESS AIR FORCE BASE ON ACHIEVING ENERGY 
                                SAVINGS

  Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to 
the resolution (H. Res. 845) recognizing the United States Air Force 
and Dyess Air Force Base for their success in achieving energy savings 
and developing energy-saving innovations during Energy Awareness Month, 
as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 845

       Whereas the United States Air Force operates 84 major 
     installations and 82 minor installations worldwide and is 
     supported by an employee base of approximately 700,000 
     persons, which includes regular and Reserve component members 
     and civilian employees;
       Whereas the Air Force mission requires a global presence 
     that provides a rapid response capability and strategic 
     positioning of its assets;
       Whereas the Air Force is the largest user of energy in the 
     Federal Government since Air Force aircraft consume 
     significant quantities of energy in executing their mission 
     and keeping the United States and its allies safe;
       Whereas the Air Force has a comprehensive energy policy and 
     strategy that identifies the imperative to eliminate waste, 
     conserve resources, and seek new, alternative sources of 
     energy;
       Whereas October of each year is Energy Awareness Month 
     throughout the Federal Government, and the Air Force's theme 
     for fiscal year 2010 is ``Energy Solutions...Fueling the 
     Mission'';
       Whereas the theme ``Energy Solutions...Fueling the 
     Mission'' highlights the importance of energy to the Air 
     Force's overall mission to ``Fly, Fight, Win'' and supports 
     the Air Force energy plan to reduce demand, increase supply, 
     and change the culture to make energy a consideration in 
     everything they do;
       Whereas Dyess Air Force Base in Abilene, Texas, is one of 
     just three Air Force installations recognized by the 
     Department of Energy as a 2009 Federal Energy and Water 
     Management Award Winner;
       Whereas Dyess Air Force Base has developed several energy-
     saving initiatives, including a system that employs a pond 
     and an ice plant through which water is circulated and then 
     used to cool the installation during the hot summer months, 
     reducing the energy used by the B-1 simulator campus by over 
     30 percent, and saving Dyess Air Force Base more than 
     $239,000;
       Whereas through a partnership with two companies, Dyess Air 
     Force Base was able to take previously unusable water to the 
     base through an abandoned pipeline for use on the 
     installation's golf course, thereby saving more than 160 
     million gallons of water a year;
       Whereas the hangar lights at Dyess Air Force Base were 
     replaced with new electronic dimming lights, which have saved 
     9,734 million BTUs and $209,000; and
       Whereas in 2008, Dyess Air Force Base energy managers, 
     engineers, and contracting officials reduced energy 
     consumption by 16.5 percent and saved more than $1 million: 
     Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) recognizes the energy savings and innovations achieved 
     by the United State Air Force;
       (2) honors the leadership of the 7th Bomb Wing at Dyess Air 
     Force Base for their energy savings; and
       (3) congratulates Tom Denslow, Danny Dobbs, Ron Miller, and 
     TSgt (Sel) Daniel Thatcher of the Department of the Air 
     Force, Dyess Air Force Base, and Steve Dumont of the 
     Department of the Air Force, Air Combat Command, for their 
     efforts to reduce energy use in support of the missions of 
     the 7th Bomb Wing and the 317th Airlift Group and to make 
     Dyess Air Force Base a model of efficient energy use.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from 
Guam (Ms. Bordallo) and the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Rooney) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Guam.


                             General Leave

  Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks 
on the resolution under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from Guam?
  There was no objection.
  Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today to support House Resolution 845, 
recognizing the United States Armed Forces and Dyess Air Force Base for 
their success in achieving energy savings and developing energy-saving 
innovations.
  I would like to thank my colleague and former neighbor, Mr. 
Neugebauer, for his work in bringing this resolution to the floor.
  The Air Force pledge to become more energy efficient has facilitated 
both resourceful engineering projects and simple solutions, such as the 
installation of new electronic dimming lights in hangars at Dyess Air 
Force Base.
  While the projects at Dyess Air Force Base range in size and scope, 
the end result is a 16.5 percent reduction in energy usage at a savings 
of over $1 million in 2008. The diligence exhibited by the Air Force 
and leadership at Dyess Air Force Base serves as a good example of what 
can be achieved in energy savings, not only at other bases, but in 
government facilities, private businesses, and personal households.
  The men and women at this base in Abilene, Texas, continue to display 
a commitment to conserve energy and remain faithful stewards of the 
taxpayers' money. They accomplished all of this without sacrificing 
their ultimate mission to ``Fly, Fight, Win.''
  So Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in congratulating the 
United States Air Force and Dyess Air Force Base for their successes in 
energy conservation by supporting House Resolution 845.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. ROONEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of House Resolution 845, which 
recognizes the United States Air Force and Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, 
for their innovative approaches and success in achieving energy 
savings. I want to commend Representative Randy Neugebauer of Texas for 
sponsoring this legislation.
  Mr. Speaker, as the largest user of energy in the Federal Government, 
the Air Force has been a national leader in seeking ways to conserve 
energy, eliminate waste, and seek alternative sources of energy at its 
166 large and small installations around the world. Within this 
exemplary group of military installations, Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, 
was just one of three Air Force installations recognized by the 
Department of Energy as a 2009 Federal Energy and Water Management 
Award winner. In earning this distinction, Dyess Air Force Base 
personnel reduced energy consumption by more than 16 percent and saved 
over $1 million without sacrificing mission accomplishment in any way.
  This is why it is, therefore, right and proper that we recognize the 
Air Force and Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, for their leadership and 
outstanding accomplishments in energy stewardship.
  I urge all Members to support this resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my 
time.
  Mr. ROONEY. Mr. Speaker, at this time, I would like to yield 5 
minutes to the gentleman from Texas, the sponsor of this resolution, 
Mr. Neugebauer.
  Mr. NEUGEBAUER. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in recognition of the

[[Page H13530]]

United States Air Force in their tremendous efforts as leaders in the 
Federal Government's participation in Energy Awareness Month this past 
October.
  America depends on the Air Force to continually provide an umbrella 
of security, deter our Nation's enemies, and provide safe, efficient, 
and effective transportation of essential personnel and supplies to 
carry out their mission.
  As the largest single user of energy in the Federal Government, the 
Air Force faces the daily challenge of improving their energy 
efficiency while continuing to provide our Nation and her allies with 
the most reliable Air Force in the world.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to also take this opportunity to 
congratulate Dyess Air Force Base, located in my district. Dyess Air 
Force Base was recently recognized by receiving the Department of 
Energy's Federal Energy and Waste Management Award. The Federal Energy 
and Waste Management Award recognizes individuals, groups, and agencies 
for their outstanding contributions in the areas of energy efficiency, 
water conservation, and the use of advanced and renewable energy 
technologies at their Federal facilities. Having earned this award in 
the past, Dyess Air Force Base continues to be a model for smart energy 
use.
  As we recognize October as Energy Awareness Month throughout the 
Federal Government, Dyess Air Force Base has made outstanding 
contributions in areas of energy efficiency, water conservation, and 
the use of advanced and renewable energy technologies. Some of the 
energy-saving initiatives included a system that employs a pond and an 
ice plant through which water is circulated and used to cool the 
installation during the hot summer months, and reducing the energy used 
by the B-1 bomb simulator over 30 percent, saving almost $239,000. They 
also developed a way to use previously unusable water through an 
abandoned pipeline for use by the installation's golf course, thereby 
saving almost 160 million gallons of fresh water each year.
  All told, in 2008, Dyess Air Force Base reduced its total energy 
consumption 16.5 percent and saved the American taxpayers over $1 
million. I am proud of this achievement and the honor that this award 
brings to the Air Force, the people of the 19th Congressional District, 
and to the State of Texas. As we step toward developing sustainable and 
alternative energy sources, we must continue to work to increase our 
energy efficiency.
  Finally, Mr. Speaker, I would like to personally congratulate and 
insert into the Record the following names: Tom Denslow, Danny Dobbs, 
Ron Miller, and Daniel Thatcher of Dyess Air Force Base; and Steve 
Dumont of Air Combat Command for their efforts to reduce energy use and 
to make that base a model of energy use. It is because of their hard 
work and dedication that America's dollars are better utilized and 
airmen are best served.
  Mr. ROONEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I wish to thank my colleague from Florida 
(Mr. Rooney) for managing the bills on the floor today. I yield back 
the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentlewoman from Guam (Ms. Bordallo) that the House suspend the rules 
and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 845, as amended.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.

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