[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 133 (Tuesday, July 28, 2020)]
[Senate]
[Page S4539]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                  TRIBUTE TO JAMES ``RUSTY'' MITCHELL

 Ms. McSALLY. Madam President, in the words of entrepreneur 
Henry Ford, ``coming together is a beginning, staying together is 
progress, and working together is success.'' As you and I know all too 
well, the role of a mediator presents unique challenges. From 
negotiating contracts to facilitating dialogue among parties, very few 
have the skillset and dedication to produce favorable results.
  Today, I am here to honor a man who exemplifies the qualities of a 
true leader and innovator: James ``Rusty'' Mitchell, the director of 
the Community Initiatives Team at Luke Air Force Base in Arizona. Mr. 
Mitchell will be retiring this month after over 39 years of government 
service to our country.
  Upon completion of his undergraduate degree at the University of 
Southern California as an ROTC cadet, Mr. Mitchell was commissioned in 
1976 to attend pilot training at the old Williams Air Force Base, which 
has a near and dear place to my heart, as I also attended it.
  The culmination of an impressive 22-year USAF career as the commander 
of the 21st Squadron, 56th Fighter Wing at Luke, he retired in 1998 as 
a lieutenant colonel with multiple honors, including the Defense 
Meritorious Service Medal; the USAF Meritorious Service Medal, with 
three oakleaf clusters; and the Air Force Commendation Medal.
  After 3 years as a pilot with United Airlines, Mr. Mitchell returned 
to Luke to take the lead as the director of the newly created Community 
Initiatives Team, CIT. Working with all 14 jurisdictions around the air 
base, as well as the State of Arizona, Mr. Mitchell and his team took 
into account the interests of various stakeholders in the State, the 
Federal Government, and the local community. The results were beyond 
favorable. His team's efforts transformed the entire community.
  CIT's first-class work on the Strategic Basing process led to the 
USAF selecting Luke to serve as the F-35A training site, which brought 
144 F-35s and significant investments to the base. Through initiatives 
such as the FAA's approval of a Special Air Traffic Rule, which 
enhanced safety and reduced flying hour costs, Mr. Mitchell and his 
team have truly shown how essential their role has been. There is no 
question that this work strengthened the Maricopa Area's ties to Luke 
AFB.
  Under Mr. Mitchell's leadership, CIT is now one of the country's best 
examples of how to bring community leaders, military families, and base 
leadership together. The outcome has all three of these groups rallying 
around one shared mission: to support the base's military personnel and 
readiness. As a Valley resident for more than 25 years himself, Mr. 
Mitchell's firsthand understanding has allowed him to personally 
address key issues at the base and in his community. His frequent 
appearances at city council meetings and active involvement in the 
broader community truly highlight his unwavering dedication to building 
bridges between Luke AFB and the public.
  I would like to thank Lt. Col. (ret.) James ``Rusty'' Mitchell for 
his many years of service to our Nation, Luke AFB, and the Arizonans 
who call his community home. I have personally witnessed the many 
tremendous changes Rusty has made for Luke Air Force Base and the 
surrounding community. We will all be better off because of his 
selfless and tireless efforts. He will be sorely missed, and I wish him 
all the best in his retirement.

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