[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.
____________________