[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 49 (Wednesday, March 20, 2024)]
[House]
[Page H1274]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE ECONOMIC IMPACT

  (Mr. DAVIS of North Carolina asked and was given permission to 
address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. DAVIS of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, Seymour Johnson Air Force 
Base is an economic engine for Wayne County and the surrounding 
community. Even so, there is discussion the Air Force may dissolve an 
entire fighter squadron at the base, consisting of 26 F-15E aircraft.
  Doing so would rip away about 520 jobs from Wayne County, one of the 
most economically distressed counties in our State, in a congressional 
district that ranks 422 of 441 in median income. Adding insult to 
injury is the potential job loss of another 6,000 jobs from a menthol 
ban with no plans to replace them.
  As a former Air Force officer who grew up working in the fields, I 
must admit I am left scratching my head right now. These decisions will 
hamper us, a part of the State that is already struggling. I urge the 
administration to reconsider these positions.

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