Honoring and recognizing the exemplary service and sacrifice of the 60th Air Mobility Wing, the 349th Air Mobility Wing, the 15th Expeditionary Mobility Task Force, and the 615th Contingency Response Wing civilians and families serving at Travis Air Force Base, California.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1585) honoring and recognizing the exemplary service and sacrifice of the 60th Air Mobility Wing, the 349th Air Mobility Wing, the 15th Expeditionary Mobility Task Force, and the 615th Contingency Response Wing civilians and families serving at Travis Air Force Base, California, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on the resolution under consideration.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 1585, a resolution expressing appreciation of the House of Representatives for the service and sacrifice of the members of the 60th Air Mobility Wing, 349th Air Reserve Wing, 15th Expeditionary Mobility Task Force, 615th Contingency Response Wing, and Travis Air Force Base.

Affectionately known as ``Team Travis,'' the team includes 13,900 active duty reservists and civilians of the wings. Travis was established in 1942, originally named the Fairfield-Suisun Army Air Base. In 1951, it was renamed Travis Air Force Base, and its vital missions have continued.

Travis Air Force Base has been called the ``Gateway to the Pacific,'' and brave men and women who have served at Travis know a thing or two about their neighbors, particularly those across the Pacific and in every corner of the globe. Brave men and women of the Travis Air Force Base have fought in World War II, the Korean War, the Cuban Missile Crisis, the Vietnam War, and the Persian Gulf War. More recently, Team Travis has played a major role in providing airlift, air refueling, and aero-medical evacuation in support of combat missions in Iraq and Afghanistan, flying 102,581 hours for Operation Iraqi Freedom and 70,940 hours for Operation Enduring Freedom. That's a lot of flight time.

They have carried out vital humanitarian missions in Berlin, Darfur, Rwanda, and Haiti. Indeed, after a 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck Haiti on January 12, 2010, Team Travis conducted the first humanitarian airlift mission, provided search and rescue personnel, medical experts, and supplies, and facilitated delivery of more than 1 million pounds of cargo during the duration of the Haitian relief effort. They also set up the logistics at the airport, which was destroyed.

After the tragic 2004 tsunami that devastated much of South Asia, Travis delivered more than 2 million pounds of supplies, providing a full third of the entire U.S. relief effort. Given their broad contribution to humanitarian causes around the world, it's clear that the 60th Air Mobility Wing and Team Travis valiantly fulfill their motto of being ``America's First Choice.''

Not only is Travis a vital and valued base furthering American missions and humanitarianism abroad, it is also a very, very important part of the Solano County economy. Travis spends roughly $300 million a year in Solano County. They are the largest sector of the economy, and at least 5,600 jobs outside of the air base are included.

For the past 12 years, our good friend, Ike Skelton, has been a consistent supporter of Travis, and I want to thank him for the honor of presenting this bill today and for his support in making it possible for this bill to move beyond this committee. He has been an extraordinary leader.

Today, let's honor the Travis Air Force Base entire family while offering our condolences to the families of the bravest of the brave servicemembers of Team Travis and all of those who have lost their lives in the defense of the United States. Travis is home to thousands of heroes, and it is my privilege and honor to represent them here in Congress.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support House Resolution 1585.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, due to illness, I was unable to participate in the following votes. If I had been present, I would have voted as follows:

November 29, 2010

Rollcall vote 581, On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass--H.R. 5877, To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 655 Centre Street in Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts, as the ``Lance Corporal Alexander Scott Arredondo, United States Marine Corps Post Office Building''--I would have voted ``aye.''

Rollcall vote 582, On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Agree--H. Res. 771, Supporting the goals and ideals of a National Mesothelioma Awareness Day--I would have voted ``aye.''

November 30, 2010

Rollcall vote 583, On Agreeing to the Resolution--H. Res. 1736, Providing for consideration of the Senate amendments to the bill (H.R. 4783) to accelerate the income tax benefits for charitable cash contributions for the relief of victims of the earthquake in Chile, and to extend the period from which such contributions for the relief of victims of the earthquake in Haiti may be accelerated--I would have voted ``nay.''

Rollcall vote 584, On Motion to Concur in the Senate Amendments--H.R. 4783, To accelerate the income tax benefits for charitable cash contributions for the relief of victims of the earthquake in Chile, and to extend the period from which such contributions for the relief of victims of the earthquake in Haiti may be accelerated--I would have voted ``nay.''

Rollcall vote 585, On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Agree, as Amended--H. Res. 1585, Honoring and recognizing the exemplary service and sacrifice of the 60th Air Mobility Wing, the 349th Air Mobility Wing, the 15th Expeditionary Mobility Task Force, and the 615th Contingency Response Wing civilians and families serving at Travis Air Force Base, California--I would have voted ``aye.''

Rollcall vote 586, On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Agree--H. Res. 1740, Recognizing and honoring the National Guard on the occasion of its 374th anniversary--I would have voted ``aye.''

December 1, 2010

Rollcall vote 587, On Ordering the Previous Question--H. Res. 1742, Providing for consideration of S. 3307, the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act--I would have voted ``nay.''

Rollcall vote 588, On Agreeing to the Resolution--H. Res. 1742, Providing for consideration of S. 3307, the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act--I would have voted ``nay.''

Rollcall vote 589, On Agreeing to the Resolution--H. Res. 1741, Providing for consideration of H.J. Res. 101, Making further continuing appropriations for fiscal year 2011, and for other purposes--I would have voted ``nay.''

Rollcall vote 590, On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Agree--H. Con. Res. 323, Supporting the goal of ensuring that all Holocaust survivors in the United States are able to live with dignity, comfort, and security in their remaining years--I would have voted ``aye.''

Rollcall vote 591, On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Agree--H. Res. 1735, Condemning North Korea in the strongest terms for its unprovoked military attack against South Korea on November 23, 2010--I would have voted ``aye.''

Rollcall vote 592, On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Agree, as Amended--H. Res. 1430, Honoring and saluting golf legend Juan Antonio ``Chi Chi'' Rodriguez for his commitment to Latino youth programs of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute--I would have voted ``aye.''

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of House Resolution 1585, as amended, which honors the service and sacrifice of the 60th Air Mobility Wing, the 15th Expeditionary Mobility Task Force, and the 615th Contingency Response Wing, civilians and families serving at Travis Air Force Base in California.

I would like to thank the gentleman from California for introducing this resolution. I am honored to pay tribute to Team Travis and the 13,900 active duty members, reservists, and civilians who make Travis Air Force Base, located in northern California, an integral part of our Air Force and our Nation's security.

The 60th Air Mobility Wing is one of the largest mobility organizations and has supported operations during World War II, the Korean War, and the Persian Gulf War. After September 11, the Air Mobility Wing provided close to 175,000 hours of airlift, refueling, and aero-medical evacuation support during Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. More recently, the 60th Air Mobility Wing supported humanitarian aid operations in Darfur.

After the devastating earthquake struck Haiti earlier this year, Team Travis was first to provide humanitarian airlift and continued support with search and rescue, medical efforts, and the delivery of more than 1 million pounds of cargo.

Mr. Speaker, I would be remiss if I did not also pay tribute to the incredible families of these brave airmen who waited at home while their loved one answered our Nation's call. Some of these airmen have paid the ultimate price to defend our freedom, and I offer my condolences to their families. We are proud of Team Travis. Therefore, Mr. Speaker, I strongly urge all Members to support this resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.

Mr. Speaker, earlier today, I was unavoidably detained and missed rollcall vote No. 585, on H. Res. 1585. Had I been present, I would have proudly voted ``yea'' in support of this important resolution honoring the men and women serving at Travis Air Force Base.

Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.