[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 154 (Tuesday, November 30, 2010)]
[House]
[Pages H7695-H7696]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              HONORING AIR WINGS AT TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE

  Mr. GARAMENDI. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to 
the resolution (H. Res. 1585) honoring and recognizing the exemplary 
service and sacrifice of the 60th Air Mobility Wing, the 349th Air 
Mobility Wing, the 15th Expeditionary Mobility Task Force, and the 
615th Contingency Response Wing civilians and families serving at 
Travis Air Force Base, California, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 1585

       Whereas the base originally named Fairfield-Suisun Army Air 
     Base, the ``Gateway to the Pacific'', was renamed Travis Air 
     Force Base in 1951;
       Whereas Team Travis includes the 13,900 active duty, 
     reservists, and civilians of the 60th Air Mobility Wing, the 
     349th Air Mobility Wing, the 15th Expeditionary Mobility Task 
     Force, the 615th Contingency Response Wing, and their 
     families;
       Whereas the 60th Air Mobility Wing, one of the Air Force's 
     largest air mobility organizations, significantly contributed 
     to the defense of our Nation during World War II, the Korean 
     War, the Vietnam War, the Persian Gulf War, and operations 
     Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom;
       Whereas, after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, 
     Team Travis played major roles in providing airlift, air 
     refueling, and aero medical evacuation in support of 
     Operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom, flying 102,581 hours 
     for Operation Iraqi Freedom and 70,940 hours for Operation 
     Enduring Freedom;
       Whereas in January 2009, Travis aircrews from the 60th Air 
     Mobility Wing and 349th Air Mobility Wing supported 
     humanitarian aid operations in the Darfur region of Sudan;
       Whereas the 615th Contingency Response Wing, one of two Air 
     Force Contingency Response Wings, facilitated airlift efforts 
     from Rwanda in support of the Rwandan peacekeeping mission;
       Whereas, after a 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck Haiti on 
     January 12, 2010, Team Travis conducted the first 
     humanitarian airlift mission, providing search and rescue 
     personnel, medical experts and supplies, and facilitated the 
     delivery of more than 1,000,000 pounds of cargo during the 
     duration of the Haitian Relief Effort; and
       Whereas the 60th Air Mobility Wing and Team Travis 
     valiantly fulfill its motto of being ``America's First 
     Choice'', for true global reach: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) honors and recognizes the exemplary service and 
     sacrifice of the 60th Air Mobility Wing, the 349th Air 
     Mobility Wing, the 15th Expeditionary Mobility Task Force, 
     and the 615th Contingency Response Wing civilians and 
     families serving at Travis Air Force Base, California;
       (2) offers condolences to the families of the brave 
     servicemembers of Team Travis who have lost their lives in 
     defense of the United States; and
       (3) commends the actions of private citizens and 
     organizations in the Travis Air Force Base community for 
     their steadfast support of members of the United States Armed 
     Forces and their families.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Garamendi) and the gentleman from Alabama (Mr. Rogers) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California.


                             General Leave

  Mr. GARAMENDI. 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 
gentleman from California?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. GARAMENDI. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 1585, a 
resolution expressing appreciation of the House of Representatives for 
the service and sacrifice of the members of the 60th Air Mobility Wing, 
349th Air Reserve Wing, 15th Expeditionary Mobility Task Force, 615th 
Contingency Response Wing, and Travis Air Force Base.
  Affectionately known as ``Team Travis,'' the team includes 13,900 
active duty reservists and civilians of the wings. Travis was 
established in 1942, originally named the Fairfield-Suisun Army Air 
Base. In 1951, it was renamed Travis Air Force Base, and its vital 
missions have continued.
  Travis Air Force Base has been called the ``Gateway to the Pacific,'' 
and brave men and women who have served at Travis know a thing or two 
about their neighbors, particularly those across the Pacific and in 
every corner of the globe. Brave men and women of the Travis Air Force 
Base have fought in World War II, the Korean War, the Cuban Missile 
Crisis, the Vietnam War, and the Persian Gulf War. More recently, Team 
Travis has played a major role in providing airlift, air refueling, and 
aero-medical evacuation in support of combat missions in Iraq and 
Afghanistan, flying 102,581 hours for Operation Iraqi Freedom and 
70,940 hours for Operation Enduring Freedom. That's a lot of flight 
time.
  They have carried out vital humanitarian missions in Berlin, Darfur, 
Rwanda, and Haiti. Indeed, after a 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck 
Haiti on January 12, 2010, Team Travis conducted the first humanitarian 
airlift mission, provided search and rescue personnel, medical experts, 
and supplies, and facilitated delivery of more than 1 million pounds of 
cargo during the duration of the Haitian relief effort. They also set 
up the logistics at the airport, which was destroyed.
  After the tragic 2004 tsunami that devastated much of South Asia, 
Travis delivered more than 2 million pounds of supplies, providing a 
full third of the entire U.S. relief effort. Given their broad 
contribution to humanitarian causes around the world, it's clear that 
the 60th Air Mobility Wing and Team Travis valiantly fulfill their 
motto of being ``America's First Choice.''
  Not only is Travis a vital and valued base furthering American 
missions and humanitarianism abroad, it is also a very, very important 
part of the Solano County economy. Travis spends roughly $300 million a 
year in Solano County. They are the largest sector of the economy, and 
at least 5,600 jobs outside of the air base are included.
  For the past 12 years, our good friend, Ike Skelton, has been a 
consistent supporter of Travis, and I want to thank him for the honor 
of presenting this bill today and for his support in making it possible 
for this bill to move beyond this committee. He has been an 
extraordinary leader.
  Today, let's honor the Travis Air Force Base entire family while 
offering our condolences to the families of the bravest of the brave 
servicemembers of Team Travis and all of those who have lost their 
lives in the defense of the United States. Travis is home to thousands 
of heroes, and it is my privilege and honor to represent them here in 
Congress.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support House Resolution 1585.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of House Resolution 1585, as amended, 
which honors the service and sacrifice of the 60th Air Mobility Wing, 
the 15th Expeditionary Mobility Task Force, and the 615th Contingency 
Response Wing, civilians and families serving at Travis Air Force Base 
in California.
  I would like to thank the gentleman from California for introducing 
this resolution. I am honored to pay tribute to Team Travis and the 
13,900 active duty members, reservists, and civilians who make Travis 
Air Force Base, located in northern California, an integral part of our 
Air Force and our Nation's security.
  The 60th Air Mobility Wing is one of the largest mobility 
organizations and has supported operations during World War II, the 
Korean War, and the Persian Gulf War. After September 11, the Air 
Mobility Wing provided close to 175,000 hours of airlift, refueling, 
and aero-medical evacuation support during Operations Enduring Freedom 
and Iraqi Freedom. More recently, the 60th Air Mobility Wing supported 
humanitarian aid operations in Darfur.

[[Page H7696]]

  After the devastating earthquake struck Haiti earlier this year, Team 
Travis was first to provide humanitarian airlift and continued support 
with search and rescue, medical efforts, and the delivery of more than 
1 million pounds of cargo.
  Mr. Speaker, I would be remiss if I did not also pay tribute to the 
incredible families of these brave airmen who waited at home while 
their loved one answered our Nation's call. Some of these airmen have 
paid the ultimate price to defend our freedom, and I offer my 
condolences to their families. We are proud of Team Travis. Therefore, 
Mr. Speaker, I strongly urge all Members to support this resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. GARAMENDI. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from California (Mr. Garamendi) that the House suspend the 
rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 1585, 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.
  Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the 
ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a 
quorum is not present.
  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.
  The point of no quorum is considered withdrawn.

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