[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 99 (Tuesday, June 29, 2010)]
[House]
[Pages H4917-H4918]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
RECOGNIZING RESIDENTS OF TRACY, CALIFORNIA
Mr. FILNER. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to
the resolution (H. Res. 1446) recognizing the residents of the City of
Tracy, California, on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the
city's incorporation, for their century of dedicated service to the
United States.
The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
The text of the resolution is as follows:
H. Res. 1446
Whereas the City of Tracy is located in San Joaquin County,
which is home to more than 42,000 veterans;
Whereas the Tracy area is home to the Defense Distribution
Depot San Joaquin, which serves as a vital distribution
center for materials and supplies for the United States Armed
Forces;
Whereas the City of Tracy maintains a cherished memorial
containing the names of the heroes from Tracy who made the
ultimate sacrifice in service to the United States from World
War I to the present;
Whereas Camp Tracy, located near the City of Tracy, played
a role in intelligence operations that contributed to the war
effort during World War II;
Whereas members of the United States Armed Forces from the
City of Tracy served bravely, and many lost their lives, in
the Korean War, Vietnam War, Persian Gulf War, and other
military conflicts of the 20th century;
Whereas members of the United States Armed Forces from the
City of Tracy have served with honor in the wars in Iraq and
Afghanistan; and
Whereas the Tracy Press reported on November 11, 2008, that
the City of Tracy has endured one of the Nation's highest per
capita casualty rates in the war in Iraq: Now, therefore, be
it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) expresses its gratitude to the veterans of the City of
Tracy, California, who have committed their lives to serving
the United States; and
(2) expresses its gratitude to all of the residents of the
City of Tracy, California, for their century-long commitment
to serving the United States.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
California (Mr. Filner) and the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Buyer) each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California.
General Leave
Mr. FILNER. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks
and include extraneous materials on H. Res. 1446.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from California?
There was no objection.
Mr. FILNER. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Madam Speaker, I rise to join the City of Tracy, California, in
celebrating its 100th anniversary of its incorporation.
I join the resolution's sponsor, Mr. McNerney, in recognizing Tracy
residents for their century of dedicated service to the United States.
The city of Tracy has endured one of the Nation's highest per capita
casualty rates in the war in Iraq. Today, I urge the House to recognize
the servicemembers and veterans of the city of Tracy.
Though many return to their homes and their families, those who make
the ultimate sacrifice will not be forgotten. Forever memorialized in
their city's monument, the fallen of Tracy stand as a reminder of the
tragedies of war and the respect that all veterans are owed.
Most recently, with solemn grief and unwavering pride, the name of
Marine SSgt Daniel Hansen was added to the memorial. The city of Tracy
has supported generations of men and women, willing to make the same
sacrifice as Staff Sergeant Hansen.
I join Mr. McNerney in also thanking the sons and daughters of Tracy
who do not enter the armed forces, yet are committed to supporting the
42,000 veterans living there today.
The resolution's sponsor is Mr. McNerney from California, and I yield
such time as he may consume to him to explain the bill.
Mr. McNERNEY. Madam Speaker, I thank the chairman for yielding.
Madam Speaker, I rise to honor the residents of the City of Tracy on
the 100th anniversary of the city's incorporation and for their century
of dedicated service to the United States. I ask all of my colleagues
to join me in supporting this important resolution to recognize the
service of Tracy's residents. I am fortunate to represent Tracy, which
sits in the rich agricultural region of California's San Joaquin
Valley.
Time and again through the last century, Tracy residents have proven
their dedication to our country by serving in our armed services. Many
Tracy residents have made the ultimate sacrifice, giving their lives
defending the freedom we cherish and protecting our Nation from the
enemies at home and abroad.
The Tracy area is home to unique military history and tradition. For
instance, Camp Tracy, located not far from the city, was the site of
significant intelligence operations during World War II. The area is
also home to the Defense Distribution Center-San Joaquin, commonly
called the Tracy Defense Depot, which plays a critical role in
supplying our men and women serving overseas.
Members of the United States Armed Forces from the City of Tracy have
served bravely, and many have lost their lives in World War II, the
Korean war, the Vietnam war, the Persian Gulf war and other conflicts
of the 20th century. Tracy residents are also serving with distinction
in the current battlefields in Iraq and Afghanistan.
{time} 1220
The city's newspaper, the Tracy Press, reported on November 11, 2008,
that, per capita, the city of Tracy has endured one of the Nation's
highest casualty rates in the war in Iraq. Just the other week, I
attended an event in Tracy to honor the memory of one of those fallen
heroes, and I am always humbled and made proud by the outpouring of
support by Tracy residents for our men and women in uniform.
On many weekends back home in California, I visit Tracy to meet with
local veterans and discuss the issues that affect their lives. I am
committed to making sure that our veterans are cared for and that their
families receive the support they deserve. My son Michael joined the
service shortly after 9/11, and caring for our men and women in uniform
is a deep personal priority. Our country should always recognize
communities like Tracy whose residents answer the call to service.
I'm proud to recognize the residents of the city of Tracy on the
occasion of their centennial anniversary of the city's incorporation. I
ask my colleagues to join me in supporting this resolution honoring the
veterans and residents of Tracy for their dedicated service to our
Nation.
Mr. BUYER. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
(Mr. BUYER asked and was given permission to revise and extend his
remarks.)
Mr. BUYER. Madam Speaker, I want to thank my colleague, Congressman
McNerney, for introducing the legislation. I ask my colleagues to
support H.R. 1446.
Today, I rise in support of H. Res. 1446, a bill to recognize the
residents of the city of Tracy, California, on the occasion of the
100th anniversary of the city's incorporation, for their century of
dedicated service to the United States.
In 1869 the Central Pacific Railroad (now Southern Pacific) completed
a rail line through the area which is now Tracy. The result of the new
rail line was the founding of Tracy on September 8, 1878, named for
Lathrop J. Tracy, a grain merchant and railroad director.
Tracy was incorporated in 1910 and it grew rapidly. Although railroad
operations began to decline in the 1950s, Tracy continued to prosper as
an agricultural area. Today, the city seal reflects this history of
railroads and agriculture.
The city of Tracy has a long history of serving our nation's military
during war and peacetime. During World War II, Camp Tracy played a role
in the intelligence operations which contributed to the war effort. It
is now the home
[[Page H4918]]
to the Defense Distribution Depot San Joaquin, which serves as a vital
distribution center for materials and supplies for the U.S. Armed
Forces.
Even today, the city of Tracy continues to support our men and women
of the Armed Services and our veterans. SSG Rachelle Renaud, a Tracy
native, is one of 100 Army athletes competing at the inaugural Warrior
Games at the U.S. Olympic Committee's Colorado Springs, CO, training
facility. A veteran of two deployments to Iraq with the 720th Military
Police Battalion, she endured severe back pain that led to a double
lumbar fusion on her spine. She hasn't regained the feeling in her left
leg, but still has the spirit to compete and overcome her injuries. She
will be participating in the standing shotput, individual and relay
swimming events, cycling, and shooting.
It is through the support of local communities like Tracy that our
men and women in uniform find the strength and determination to
continue on the tasks ahead.
Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague, Congressman McNerney for
introducing this legislation, and Chairman Filner for bringing it to
the floor so expeditiously. I urge my colleagues to support H. Res.
1446.
I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. FILNER. Madam Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I
yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Ms. Richardson). The question is on the
motion offered by the gentleman from California (Mr. Filner) that the
House suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 1446.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
Mr. FILNER. Madam 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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