[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 8 (Tuesday, January 15, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E43]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        HONORING BARBARA PLANTE

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. DEBBIE LESKO

                               of arizona

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 15, 2019

  Mrs. LESKO. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor and celebrate the 
incredible work Barbara Plante has done for the United States Air Force 
and Luke Air Force Base in my home district. Barbara is retiring this 
month after an incredibly distinguished career serving our country. She 
has served the Air Force for 35 years, including 26 of those years at 
Luke Air Force Base.
  Currently, Barbara serves as the Deputy Director of the Community 
Initiatives Team at Luke Air Force Base. She was on the public affairs 
team for Luke Air Force Base from 1995 until 2013, except for when she 
was deployed to Afghanistan in 2011 and 2012. During those years, she 
welcomed local officials to the base, educated the public, and helped 
Luke Air Force Base with recruitment. In 2013, she transitioned from 
public affairs to help lead the Community Initiatives Team, where she 
learned and concentrated on state laws and zoning.
  Luke Air Force Base is home to one of the largest fighter wings in 
the world, the 56th Fighter Wing, in the middle of a growing 
metropolitan area. The Air Force strives for safe and supportive 
environments around its bases, leading to Luke Air Force Base's 
creation of the Community Initiatives Team in 2003. While not every 
base has one, Barbara's leadership has demonstrated how successful they 
can be. She has been essential to the base and the 56th Fighter Wing's 
success.
  Barbara has built tremendous support for the base in West Valley. Her 
commitment to educating city officials, real estate professionals, 
politicians and residents about the state laws restricting development 
around the base and why they are important has helped secure Luke Air 
Force Base's future for years to come. As of 2017, the base supports 
approximately 15,070 jobs, $923 million in wages, and $2.4 billion in 
direct and indirect economic impact to Arizona.
  Barbara's warm personality and desire to build and maintain strong 
relationships has helped her successfully manage the growth at Luke Air 
Force Base and the surrounding community. Her team works with 11 
cities, Arizona state government and the federal government. Her 
efforts have seen direct results, including how our surrounding cities 
work together for the greater good of the community and the base. 
Barbara's work has created a fantastic and trusting relationship 
between our communities and Luke Air Force Base.
  Barbara's great achievements reflect her selfless dedication to 
serving our community in Arizona. Her passion for Luke Air Force Base 
and her devotion to her work for the Air Force has opened many doors 
for the base. It is an honor to be among the many in congratulating her 
on this most worthy accomplishment.
  I wish her my sincerest congratulations and hope her well-earned 
retirement is filled with good health and much happiness.

                          ____________________