[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 47 (Wednesday, March 21, 2012)]
[House]
[Page H1438]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    WHERE HAVE ALL THE C 130S GONE?

  (Mr. POE of Texas asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute.)
  Mr. POE of Texas. Madam Speaker, the gulf coast is known for its 
whip-whirling tropical storms, devastating hurricanes, wildfires, and 
floods; and whenever such storms hit, C 130 aircraft sweep in from Fort 
Worth, Texas, at a moment's notice. They bring lifesaving supplies and 
cargo to rescue civilians. The C 130s have carried out 423 gulf storm 
response missions, evacuated 300 storm victims, and transported over 
900 tons of emergency supplies to the gulf region alone.
  But, Madam Speaker, for some reason, the Air Force wants to remove 
the C 130s from Texas and send them to Montana. Madam Speaker, when is 
the last time you heard of a hurricane in Montana?
  The expensive, unwise transfer of the C 130s would cost taxpayers 
$100 million.
  The C 130s have come to the rescue in Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, Ike, 
and Gustav. When I served in a C 130 unit at Houston's Ellington Field 
in the seventies, I came to know how efficient these aircraft are. 
That's why they are nicknamed the ``Hercules.''
  Keep these lifesaving planes in the gulf where they are needed. Don't 
send them to Montana.
  And that's just the way it is.

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