Recognizing the residents of the City of Tracy, California, on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the city's incorporation, for their century of dedicated service to the United States.

Madam Speaker, I thank the chairman for yielding.

Madam Speaker, I rise to honor the residents of the City of Tracy on the 100th anniversary of the city's incorporation and for their century of dedicated service to the United States. I ask all of my colleagues to join me in supporting this important resolution to recognize the service of Tracy's residents. I am fortunate to represent Tracy, which sits in the rich agricultural region of California's San Joaquin Valley.

Time and again through the last century, Tracy residents have proven their dedication to our country by serving in our armed services. Many Tracy residents have made the ultimate sacrifice, giving their lives defending the freedom we cherish and protecting our Nation from the enemies at home and abroad.

The Tracy area is home to unique military history and tradition. For instance, Camp Tracy, located not far from the city, was the site of significant intelligence operations during World War II. The area is also home to the Defense Distribution Center-San Joaquin, commonly called the Tracy Defense Depot, which plays a critical role in supplying our men and women serving overseas.

Members of the United States Armed Forces from the City of Tracy have served bravely, and many have lost their lives in World War II, the Korean war, the Vietnam war, the Persian Gulf war and other conflicts of the 20th century. Tracy residents are also serving with distinction in the current battlefields in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The city's newspaper, the Tracy Press, reported on November 11, 2008, that, per capita, the city of Tracy has endured one of the Nation's highest casualty rates in the war in Iraq. Just the other week, I attended an event in Tracy to honor the memory of one of those fallen heroes, and I am always humbled and made proud by the outpouring of support by Tracy residents for our men and women in uniform.

On many weekends back home in California, I visit Tracy to meet with local veterans and discuss the issues that affect their lives. I am committed to making sure that our veterans are cared for and that their families receive the support they deserve. My son Michael joined the service shortly after 9/11, and caring for our men and women in uniform is a deep personal priority. Our country should always recognize communities like Tracy whose residents answer the call to service.

I'm proud to recognize the residents of the city of Tracy on the occasion of their centennial anniversary of the city's incorporation. I ask my colleagues to join me in supporting this resolution honoring the veterans and residents of Tracy for their dedicated service to our Nation.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

(Mr. BUYER asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Madam Speaker, I want to thank my colleague, Congressman McNerney, for introducing the legislation. I ask my colleagues to support H.R. 1446.

Today, I rise in support of H. Res. 1446, a bill to recognize the residents of the city of Tracy, California, on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the city's incorporation, for their century of dedicated service to the United States.

In 1869 the Central Pacific Railroad (now Southern Pacific) completed a rail line through the area which is now Tracy. The result of the new rail line was the founding of Tracy on September 8, 1878, named for Lathrop J. Tracy, a grain merchant and railroad director.

Tracy was incorporated in 1910 and it grew rapidly. Although railroad operations began to decline in the 1950s, Tracy continued to prosper as an agricultural area. Today, the city seal reflects this history of railroads and agriculture.

The city of Tracy has a long history of serving our nation's military during war and peacetime. During World War II, Camp Tracy played a role in the intelligence operations which contributed to the war effort. It is now the home

to the Defense Distribution Depot San Joaquin, which serves as a vital distribution center for materials and supplies for the U.S. Armed Forces.

Even today, the city of Tracy continues to support our men and women of the Armed Services and our veterans. SSG Rachelle Renaud, a Tracy native, is one of 100 Army athletes competing at the inaugural Warrior Games at the U.S. Olympic Committee's Colorado Springs, CO, training facility. A veteran of two deployments to Iraq with the 720th Military Police Battalion, she endured severe back pain that led to a double lumbar fusion on her spine. She hasn't regained the feeling in her left leg, but still has the spirit to compete and overcome her injuries. She will be participating in the standing shotput, individual and relay swimming events, cycling, and shooting.

It is through the support of local communities like Tracy that our men and women in uniform find the strength and determination to continue on the tasks ahead.

Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague, Congressman McNerney for introducing this legislation, and Chairman Filner for bringing it to the floor so expeditiously. I urge my colleagues to support H. Res. 1446.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1446) recognizing the residents of the City of Tracy, California, on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the city's incorporation, for their century of dedicated service to the United States.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous materials on H. Res. 1446.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, I rise to join the City of Tracy, California, in celebrating its 100th anniversary of its incorporation.

I join the resolution's sponsor, Mr. McNerney, in recognizing Tracy residents for their century of dedicated service to the United States.

The city of Tracy has endured one of the Nation's highest per capita casualty rates in the war in Iraq. Today, I urge the House to recognize the servicemembers and veterans of the city of Tracy.

Though many return to their homes and their families, those who make the ultimate sacrifice will not be forgotten. Forever memorialized in their city's monument, the fallen of Tracy stand as a reminder of the tragedies of war and the respect that all veterans are owed.

Most recently, with solemn grief and unwavering pride, the name of Marine SSgt Daniel Hansen was added to the memorial. The city of Tracy has supported generations of men and women, willing to make the same sacrifice as Staff Sergeant Hansen.

I join Mr. McNerney in also thanking the sons and daughters of Tracy who do not enter the armed forces, yet are committed to supporting the 42,000 veterans living there today.

The resolution's sponsor is Mr. McNerney from California, and I yield such time as he may consume to him to explain the bill.

Madam Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.