[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 34 (Friday, February 27, 2015)]
[Senate]
[Page S1199]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    TRIBUTE TO GENERAL HANSON SCOTT

 Mr. UDALL. Madam President, in my State of New Mexico, we are 
proud to be home to some of the finest military bases in the Nation. We 
are home to White Sands Missile Range, Kirtland Air Force Base, 
Holloman Air Force Base, and Cannon Air Force Base. New Mexicans have a 
great heritage of service in the Armed Forces, and our State's military 
installations play a key role in the Nation's national defense.
  Today, I wish to express my thanks, and the thanks of all New 
Mexicans, to General Hanson Scott, who retired on January 30th, after 
many years of an illustrious career, both in active military service 
and in civilian life. He is a son of New Mexico, and a credit to our 
State.
  General Scott is originally from Reserve, NM. He attended New Mexico 
State University, prior to receiving an appointment to the U.S. Air 
Force Academy, from which he graduated in 1961. During his 30 years in 
the Air Force, he served with great distinction, including as commander 
of the 463rd Tactical Airlift Wing, Dyess Air Force Base; the 1st 
Special Operations Wing, Hurlbut Field; and Special Operations Command 
Pacific, Camp H. M. Smith.
  Following his retirement from the Air Force, General Scott continued 
to lead as the director of the New Mexico Office of Military Base 
Planning and Support, reporting to the Governor and the Lieutenant 
Governor. As director, he had the important responsibility of 
addressing State-level issues in support of New Mexico's military 
installations and supporting the New Mexico Military Base Planning 
Commission.
  During the last BRAC round, General Scott played a key role in 
supporting Operation Keep Cannon, as Cannon was saved from closure by 
determined State and community efforts. I was proud to work with him 
during this effort. When the BRAC Commission made the decision to place 
Cannon in enclave status, his team worked hard to ensure that a new 
mission would be identified for Cannon. As a result, the Air Force 
Special Operations Command made the decision to locate the 27th Special 
Operations Wing at Cannon. The wisdom of this decision cannot be 
denied. Today, pilots from the 27th SOW can take advantage of New 
Mexico's outstanding airspace as they prepare to carry out the 
country's national security priorities.
  Prior to his appointment as the director of the Office of Military 
Base Planning and Support, General Scott was the executive director of 
the Office for Space Commercialization, New Mexico Economic Development 
Department, and director of aviation for the city of Albuquerque, NM. 
He also was a member of the steering committee of the Kirtland Air 
Force Base Retention Task Force, working with community leaders and the 
New Mexico congressional delegation in preventing a significant 
realignment of the base.
  General Hanson Scott has led a life of service and commitment. He has 
proven his dedication to our military and the defense of our Nation 
time and again. That dedication has required tremendous determination, 
tireless effort, and, at times, personal sacrifice. It has meant 
getting up at 3 a.m. to make the roundtrip from Albuquerque to White 
Sands or Holloman in 1 day. It has meant manning the phones, in all 
time zones, sometimes while walking his dog Barney. Most of all, 
throughout his career, it has meant trying to do what is best for New 
Mexico and for the men and women of our Armed Forces.
  It is a privilege to say here today, to General Hanson Scott, thank 
you. Thank you for a job well done. Thank you for your service. I wish 
you all the best in your future endeavors.

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