[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 150 (Wednesday, September 18, 2019)]
[House]
[Page H7768]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          CELEBRATING 72ND BIRTHDAY OF UNITED STATES AIR FORCE

  (Mr. SPANO asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. SPANO. Madam Speaker, I rise today to bring attention to and 
celebrate the birthday of the United States Air Force.
  Today's Air Force traces its lineage to the U.S. Signal Corps in 1907 
but officially became its own branch as part of the National Security 
Act of 1947.
  During this period, the Air Force has been on the front lines of 
racial integration, helped keep the city of Berlin fed for 11 months, 
placed the first artificial communications satellite into orbit, and 
continually maintained round-the-clock flights of an airborne command 
post for three decades.
  More significantly, their vigilance and reach have deterred 
aggression while their speed, power, and sacrifice of life have 
restored peace.
  Today, on the 72nd birthday of the Air Force, the branch has grown 
into a staple of the United States defense community. With over 600,000 
Active Duty, Reserve, and civilian personnel, thousands of whom serve 
at MacDill Air Force base in Tampa, it is imperative we give these 
American heroes, past and present, the respect that they deserve.
  Please join me in wishing the United States Air Force a happy 
birthday and honoring the lives of all who have served.

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