[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 30 (Monday, February 27, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E254]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




HONORING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE USO CENTER AT THE TAMPA INTERNATIONAL 
                                AIRPORT

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. RICHARD B. NUGENT

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, February 27, 2012

  Mr. NUGENT. Mr. Speaker, on January 18th, 2012 the USO Board of 
Governors voted to approve the establishment of the USO Center at the 
Tampa International Airport.
  This has been a long process, but thanks to a hardworking team of 
volunteers, the USO in Tampa is excited about serving the roughly 
40,000 active military and their families living in the Tampa Bay area 
that may use Tampa International Airport as well as the approximately 
300,000 that fly in and out of the Tampa International Airport on a 
yearly basis.
  As both a Congressman and a father of three sons in the U.S. Army, I 
know how important the USO services are to our men and women in 
uniform. When I visit with the veterans in my district, I hear their 
stories of watching Bob Hope in the USO Concerts and receiving packages 
with urgent supplies from the USO on Christmas. Today's USO centers 
give our active duty heroes a place to relax, if only for a few 
minutes.
  The new facility in the Tampa International Airport will allow 
members of our local communities the opportunity to recognize the 
service and sacrifice of this Nation's proud active duty servicemembers 
and their families.
  I am a proud supporter of this outstanding institution and welcome 
its arrival in the Tampa International Airport.

                          ____________________