[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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