[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 12]
[House]
[Page 16025]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




               CONGRATULATING STAFF SERGEANT AARON TOBLER

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New 
York (Mr. Tonko) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. TONKO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Staff Sergeant 
Aaron Tobler, an Albany native and La Salle Institute of Troy graduate 
who was recently selected for the Outstanding Airman of the Year award 
by the United States Air Force.
  The Air Force provides this recognition to top enlisted Airmen for 
their unique individual achievements in leadership, job performance, 
significant self-improvement, and community involvement.
  Sergeant Tobler is a fine example of the best the capital region, the 
Air Force, and our Nation have to offer. In addition to his military 
service, he serves as a manager at the California Department of Social 
Services, mentors local youth, and is a regular blood donor.
  I thank Staff Sergeant Tobler for his military and civilian service 
to our Nation. He and his colleagues are truly what has made, and 
continues to make, this country great.


                  109th Airlift Buzz Aldrin Evacuation

  Mr. TONKO. Mr. Speaker, last week, the National Science Foundation 
announced that the 109th Airlift Wing provided a humanitarian medical 
evacuation flight from Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station in Antarctica 
to astronaut Buzz Aldrin, one of the first men to walk on the Moon.
  As the Representative for New York's 20th Congressional District, I 
am, indeed, honored that we are home to Stratton Air National Guard 
Base, which hosts the 109th Airlift Wing in Scotia, New York. Their 
unit flies the world's only ski-equipped LC-130s, better known as Ski 
Birds.
  The 109th continues a proud tradition of critical contributions that 
New York's capital region makes to our national security, our economy, 
and yes, our standing in the world. I am, indeed, proud of their unique 
service to this country and thank them for their continued support.

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