[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 12]
[House]
[Page 17419]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1015
           VISIT WITH SECRETARY OF THE NAVY TO BEAUFORT BASES

  (Mr. WILSON of South Carolina asked and was given permission to 
address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, yesterday I had the 
pleasure of joining Secretary of the Navy Donald Winter on tours of the 
Marine Corps air station at Beaufort and the Marine Corps recruit depot 
at Parris Island. I was honored to have the Sergeant Major of the 
Marines Corps, Carlton W. Kent, join us as well. The mission at Parris 
Island became crystal clear as we had breakfast with the dedicated 
drill instructors followed by a briefing led by its commanding officer, 
Brigadier General Paul Lefebvre. It was inspiring to see the determined 
recruits in action as they practiced firing the SAW M249, learned 
swimming, and participated in pugle sticks. Lieutenant Colonel William 
Ferrell welcomed the Secretary to the air station. After visiting with 
the Secretary and community leaders, I am more confident than ever that 
the air station is uniquely suited to take on F-35 Joint Strike 
Fighter. County Council Chairman Weston Newton, Council Military 
Liaison Skeet Von Harten, Beaufort Mayor Bill Rauch, Port Royal Mayor 
Sam Murray, along with other chamber and civic leaders expressed 
support for the Marine and Navy installations.
  I'd like to thank the Secretary, the Sergeant Major, Lieutenant Phil 
MacNaughton and their staffs for making this visit so possible.
  In conclusion, God bless our troops. We will never forget September 
11th.

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