[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 22 (Thursday, February 2, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Page S237]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





 SENATE RESOLUTION 26--HONORING THE 106TH ANNIVERSARY OF SELFRIDGE AIR 
  NATIONAL GUARD BASE AND THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF SELFRIDGE AIR NATIONAL 
 GUARD BASE TO THE MILITARY AND NATIONAL SECURITY OF THE UNITED STATES

  Mr. PETERS (for himself and Ms. Stabenow) submitted the following 
resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Armed Services:

                               S. Res. 26

       Whereas Selfridge Air National Guard Base is named after 
     Army 1st Lieutenant Thomas E. Selfridge, the first aerial 
     military casualty during a demonstration flight with Orville 
     Wright in 1908;
       Whereas the Army commissioned Selfridge Field in Harrison 
     Township, Michigan, on July 1, 1917, and it is one of the 
     first military airfields in the United States under 
     continuous service;
       Whereas the 332d Fighter Group of the famed Tuskegee 
     Airmen, an all-African-American unit, moved to Selfridge 
     Field on March 29, 1943, and Colonel Benjamin O. Davis became 
     the first African-American commander on October 8, 1943;
       Whereas, on July 1, 1971, Selfridge Field was transferred 
     to the Michigan Air National Guard, becoming the first major 
     Air Force base under the jurisdiction of the Michigan Air 
     National Guard;
       Whereas, on April 1, 1996, the 127th Wing of the Michigan 
     Air National Guard was established at Selfridge Air National 
     Guard Base;
       Whereas, after the terrorist attacks on the United States 
     on September 11, 2001, Selfridge Air National Guard Base 
     became a key center for security operations to protect and 
     secure the northern border of the United States;
       Whereas the 127th Wing of the Michigan Air National Guard 
     was the 2016 recipient of the Carl A. Spaatz Award, a 
     prestigious award given to the best flying organization in 
     the Air National Guard, and was awarded the Meritorious Unit 
     Award in the same year for ``outstanding devotion and 
     exceptional performance'';
       Whereas opportunities for investment in aerospace, as well 
     as more fighter missions, will keep Selfridge Air National 
     Guard Base successful and will contribute to a dominant Air 
     Force and to a strong national defense;
       Whereas annual joint service and international Northern 
     Strike exercises, combined with the critical manufacturing 
     base of the ``Arsenal of Democracy'', position the State of 
     Michigan as an invaluable cornerstone of national defense and 
     aerospace;
       Whereas the State of Michigan is home to the ``Arsenal of 
     Democracy'' along with the United States Army Tank-automotive 
     and Armaments Command, the United States Army DEVCOM Ground 
     Vehicle Systems Center, and Selfridge Air National Guard 
     Base;
       Whereas Selfridge Air National Guard Base finds itself 
     surrounded by premier institutions of higher educations and 
     with ample space and resources to become a hub of defense and 
     aerospace research and innovation;
       Whereas the resolute support of residents of Macomb County, 
     Michigan, and elected officials of the State of Michigan has 
     resulted in continued investment and resources from the 
     Federal Government for Selfridge Air National Guard Base and 
     the defense industry in the State of Michigan;
       Whereas Selfridge Air National Guard Base is a source of 
     community pride and enjoys unparalleled community support;
       Whereas Selfridge Air National Guard Base generates 
     hundreds of millions of dollars to the surrounding cities and 
     townships of the State of Michigan and supports over 4,500 
     jobs; and
       Whereas Selfridge Air National Guard Base is a joint 
     military base and home to many national security assets of 
     the United States, including assets of the Army, Navy, Air 
     Force, Marine Corps, and Department of Homeland Security: 
     Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) honors Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Harrison 
     Township, Michigan, on its 106th anniversary;
       (2) commends the thousands of men and women who have worked 
     and trained at Selfridge Air National Guard Base;
       (3) reinforces the commitment of the military to Selfridge 
     Air National Guard Base as a facility that is key to the 
     national security of United States;
       (4) encourages continued cooperation and dialogue with the 
     Department of Defense in support of Selfridge Air National 
     Guard Base; and
       (5) acknowledges the ongoing investments of the State of 
     Michigan in its defense assets and workforce and continued 
     contributions to the defense of the United States.

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