[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 166 (Wednesday, October 11, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E953]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     HONORING THE 2023 WOMEN OF THE YEAR: COLONEL ELIZABETH APTEKAR

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOHN GARAMENDI

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, October 11, 2023

  Mr. GARAMENDI. Mr. Speaker Pro Tempore, I rise today to recognize the 
contributions of Colonel Elizabeth Aptekar as she is honored as one of 
California's 8th Congressional District's Women of the Year.
  Elizabeth serves as the Commander of the 60th Mission Support Group 
at the 60th Air Mobility Wing at Travis Air Force Base. She leads a 
1,900-member group that provides support to three wings and more than 
fifty mission partners. Her team rapidly mobilized support for 104 
nations, readied 3,000 missions, and executed 2,000 deployments and 
seven Presidential Support packages which empowered six Combatant 
Commands to enable diplomatic and economic ties globally. Locally, she 
oversaw 54 construction projects totaling $137 million which 
facilitated the KC-46 aircraft activation at Travis Air Force Base. She 
also guided a $208 million Defense Health Agency contracting transition 
strategy for the Air Force's largest hospital, saving $48 million and 
harnessing $15 million for other critical priorities. She also 
leveraged Defense and hybrid energy initiatives positioning $20 million 
toward alternative energy, fuel resources, and electric vehicle 
infrastructure. Elizabeth has also worked to integrate Travis AFB with 
the surrounding community, organizing meetings between base and city 
leaders and fostering support for initiatives focused on infrastructure 
and quality of life improvements. Demonstrating her commitment to 
Airmen, her team's 90 percent execution rate of resiliency funds was 
No. 1 in the Air Force, ensuring Team Travis Airmen and Families across 
77 units were immersed in surrounding community activities. Elizabeth's 
work has improved quality of life for all members of the Travis AFB 
community, and her engaged leadership, service to others, and 
commitment to excellence is noted and celebrated.
  On behalf of the people of California's 8th Congressional District, 
it is my pleasure to honor and recognize Elizabeth Aptekar for her 
positive contributions to our community.

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