[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 14]
[Senate]
[Page 18687]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




    MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAR: TOP MARINE CORPS INSTALLATION

 Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I rise today to honor the men and 
women of the Marine Corps Air Station Miramar which was recently 
recognized as the 2004 Commander-in-Chief's Top Marine Corps 
Installation.
  Annually, one military installation from each service receives the 
award for outstanding achievement in areas including mission support, 
family services, environmental stewardship, and quality-of-life 
programs.
  Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in San Diego consistently excels as 
a supportive, productive, and contributing member of the community. 
Miramar hosts and supports many events that integrate the San Diego 
community into the work of the base. It stages the largest military air 
show in the United States, has Cockpit Days at the Flying Leatherneck 
Museum which hosts 16,000 visitors annually, bimonthly tours which give 
community members a chance to become familiar with the Marine Corps, as 
well as Educators' Workshops, Community Leaders' Forums, and it 
provides color guards at local events.
  Integral to the most powerful concentration of Navy bases in the 
Nation, Miramar is responsible for supporting combat-ready 
expeditionary aviation forces capable of worldwide, short-notice 
deployment as part of a Marine Corps Air-Ground Task Force. Miramar is 
the home of Third Marine Aircraft Wing Headquarters, Marine Corps Air 
Bases Western Area and Reserve Support Unit and more than 10,000 
Marines, Sailors, and civilian Marines.
  Miramar's Marines continue to significantly contribute to Operations 
Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. While friends and family members 
are serving abroad, Operation Enduring Families, a support network for 
families of deployed service members, operates on the base. Miramar's 
dedication to defending our country while enhancing quality of life for 
its service members and broader community is evident as the Marines 
contribute to the San Diego community as speakers, teachers, mentors, 
and sport coaches.
  Miramar achieves excellence in environmental standards, innovation, 
safety, efficiency, and a dedication to teamwork, honesty, and 
integrity. Their exemplary service continues to lead the Nation and to 
innovate for the next generation. It is with great pleasure that I 
congratulate Miramar and the women and men who support it for their 
receipt of the 2004 Commander-in-Chief's Installation Excellence 
Award.

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