Expressing the appreciation of Congress for the service and sacrifice of the members of the 139th Airlift Wing, Air National Guard.

Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 699--honoring and recognizing the significant service and contribution of the men and women of the 139th Airlift Wing, Air National Guard. I would like to pay tribute to their historic past and mission-essential present.

Citizen-soldiers have played a central role in America's defense since the first English colonists settled in North America during the early 17th century. Subsequently, throughout most of our history, the American people have relied upon the militia and National Guard as well as volunteers to provide the vast bulk of their militia manpower in times of war.

These citizen-soldiers have also aided their states in coping with natural disasters and civil unrest. The dual mission--both state and federal--has served as a source of great pride among guardsmen for generations and has helped maintain the highest retention statistics among reserve components. This close relationship between the Guard and the states has also helped knit the fabric of the United States Armed Forces as one of the most trusted institutions in the federal government. The Air National Guard proudly represents the heritage of the citizen airman.

On 18 September 1947, the Air National Guard was born as an independent reserve component of the Air Force. It retained experienced aviators, maintainers and support personnel from World War II, allowing for a legitimate and ready national defense capability. These sons and daughters of America were prepared to defend their country on the front lines and the home front.

The 139th Airlift Wing, a military organization well worthy of recognition and praise, has a long and glorious history. Originally named the 139th Air Transport Group, it was a derivative of the 180th Bombardment Squadron, one of the first federally recognized Air National Guard units in the nation, and was allotted to the state of Missouri at Rosecrans Air National Guard Base, Saint Joseph, Missouri as a part of the Military Air Transport Service.

It was redesignated as the 139th Military Airlift Group on 1 January 1966 when the Military Air Transport Service was deactivated and superseded by the Military Airlift Command. It was redesignated again as the 139th Air Refueling Group on 6 September 1969 within the Tactical Air Command; it was a major contributor during the Vietnam war.

The 139th as an organization continued to lead the way in defending America as it underwent a series of redesignations, inactivations and mission consolidations until its final designation as the 139th Airlift Wing on 1 October 1995 assigned to the Air Combat Command. Two years later the airlift mission with all C-130 units was changed from Air Combat Command to Air Mobility Command.

The 139th Airlift Wing has a long and outstanding record of getting airmen, soldiers and marines, equipment and supplies to and from the fight. This was clearly demonstrated with the massive troop deployment during Operation Desert Storm which was key in delivering a swift and virtually uncontested victory.

This unit served as the hub while America supported humanitarian operations in Bosnia, Sarajevo, Africa, and Haiti. It delivered tens of thousands of tons of relief support and medical and support personnel.

The 139th Airlift Wing deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan with 215 missions and provided 918 sorties. Additionally, the wing is the host of the world renowned Advanced Airlift Tactics Training Center (AATTC). This center, a Total Force Integration Initiative, is a combination of Air National Guard, Air Force Reserve, and Regular Air Force members, and supports NATO air forces training operations.

The civilian airmen of the 139th Airlift Wing played a considerable role in supporting natural disasters and emergencies on the home front as well. They provided disaster relief in response to Hurricane Katrina and the devastating ice storm that struck Northwest Missouri.

The 139th Air Wing is currently supporting Operation Coronet Oak in Puerto Rico and was vital in the rapid relief to Haiti in support of Operation Unified Response. They provided 11 sorties and delivered 23,000 pounds of cargo to mitigate suffering in the middle of the devastated country.

Once again I am very proud of our Armed Services, especially the men and women that make up the 139th Airlift Wing. We pay tribute to our civilian airmen force for their courage, sacrifice and patriotism. We all owe you a debt of gratitude and our undying support.

Madam Speaker, I was not present for the following roll call votes. Had I been present, I would have voted as follows:

On rollcall No. 454, on H. Con. Res. 292, Supporting the goals and ideals of National

Aerospace Week, and for other purposes, I would have voted ``aye.''

On rollcall No. 450, on H. Res. 1219, Expressing support for designation of September as National Child Awareness Month, I would have voted ``aye.''

On rollcall No. 449, on H. Con. Res. 126, Recognizing the 50th anniversary of Title VI international education programs within the Department of Education, I would have voted ``aye.''

On rollcall No. 448, on H. Res. 1472, Expressing support for designation of the week of September 13, 2010, as National Adult Education and Family Literacy Week, I would have voted ``aye.''

On rollcall No. 372, on H.R. 5297, I would have voted ``aye.''

On rollcall No. 293, on H.R. 5330, To Amend the Antitrust Criminal Penalty Enhancement and Reform Act of 2004 to Extend the Operation of Such Act for a 5-Year Period Ending June 22, 2015, and for Other Purposes, I would have voted ``aye.''

On rollcall No. 292, H.R. 1017, Chiropractic Care Available to All Veterans Act, I would have voted ``aye.''

On rollcall No. 291, H. Con. Res. 278, Expressing the Sense of Congress That a Grateful Nation Supports and Salutes Sons and Daughters in Touch on Its 20th Anniversary That is Being Held on Father's Day, 2010, at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, the District of Columbia, I would have voted ``aye.''

On rollcall No. 213, H. Res. 1271, Honoring the Life and Achievements of Rev. Benjamin Lawson Hooks, I would have voted ``aye.''

On rollcall No. 212, H. Res. 1257, Supporting the Goals and Ideals of National Financial Literacy Month, 2010, and for Other Purposes, I would have voted ``aye.''

On rollcall No. 172, H. Res. 1205, Providing for Consideration of the Bill (H.R. 4849) to Amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to Provide Tax Incentives for Small Business Job Creation, Extend the Build America Bonds Program, Provide Other Infrastructure Job Creation Tax Incentives, and for Other Purposes (On Ordering the Previous Question), I would have voted ``aye.''

On rollcall No. 153, On Approving the Journal, I would have voted ``aye.''

On rollcall No. 84, H. Res. 699, Expressing the Appreciation of Congress for the Service and Sacrifice of the Members of the 139th Airlift Wing, Air National Guard, I would have voted ``aye.''

On rollcall No. 50, H.R. 4238, To Designate the Facility of the United States Postal Service Located at 930 39th Avenue in Greeley, Colorado, As the ``W.D. Farr Post Office Building'', I would have voted ``aye.''

On rollcall No. 49, H.R. 4425, To Designate the Facility of the United States Postal Service Located at 2-116th Street in North Troy, New York, As the ``Martin G. `Marty' Mahar Post Office'', I would have voted ``aye.''

On rollcall No. 19, H. Res. 1003, Expressing Support for the Designation of January 10, 2010, Through January 16, 2010, As National Influenza Vaccination Week, I would have voted ``aye.''

On rollcall No. 18, H. Res. 1011, Recognizing the Importance of Cervical Health and of Detecting Cervical Cancer During Its Earliest Stages and Supporting the Goals and Ideals of Cervical Health Awareness Month, I would have voted ``aye.''

On rollcall No. 17, H. Res. 990, Expressing Support for Designation of January 2010 As ``National Mentoring Month'', I would have voted ``aye.''

On rollcall No. 5, H.R. 3892, To Designate the Facility of the United States Postal Service Located at 101 West Highway 64 Bypass in Roper, North Carolina, As the ``E.V. Wilkins Post Office'', I would have voted ``aye.''

On rollcall No. 858, H. Res. 868, Honoring and Recognizing the Service and Achievements of Current and Former Female Members of the Armed Forces, I would have voted ``aye.''

On rollcall No. 381, H.R. 2847, I would have voted ``aye.''

On rollcall No. 109, H.J. Res. 38, Making Further Continuing Appropriations for Fiscal Year 2009, and for Other Purposes, I would have voted ``aye.''

On rollcall No. 108, H.J. Res. 38, Making Further Continuing Appropriations for Fiscal Year 2009, and for Other Purposes, I would have voted ``no.''

On rollcall No. 107, On Approving the Journal, I would have voted ``aye.''

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to

the resolution (H. Res. 699) expressing the appreciation of Congress for the service and sacrifice of the members of the 139th Airlift Wing, Air National Guard, as amended.

I ask that all Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks on the resolution under consideration.

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

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 699, recognizing the service and sacrifice of the members of the 139th Airlift Wing of the Air National Guard. I would like to thank my colleague, the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Graves), for bringing this resolution before the House.

Units of the Air National Guard play a critical role in America's wars and major contingencies as well as provide valuable assistance to their States in times of crisis. I'm extraordinarily proud of Georgia's Air National Guard and the 116th blended wing that's housed at Robins Air Force Base. The 139th Airlift Wing has roots in one of the federally recognized Air National Guard units in the United States, and it continues to be an important part of defense efforts at home and abroad.

The unit deployed in support Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan and assisted in troop deployment during Operation Desert Storm. In the 1990s, the 139th supported humanitarian operations in Bosnia, Sarajevo, Africa, and Haiti. In addition to their efforts overseas, in 2005, they assisted with disaster relief efforts in response to Hurricane Katrina. Today, thousands of civilian and military personnel from northwest Missouri and northeast Kansas serve selflessly in the unit.

The 139th Airlift Wing provides essential support to maintenance and growth of the armed services. The unit is home to the Advanced Airlift Tactics Training Center that trains U.S. airlift crews and support personnel as well as NATO air forces in advanced tactics training.

House Resolution 699 recognizes the dedication and courage of not only the members of the 139th Airlift Wing and their families and service to the Nation, but also all of the members of the Armed Forces who have served or are currently serving in support of the United States military contingency operations. All our servicemembers and their families deserve our deepest gratitude and respect.

I urge my colleagues to join me in recognizing the exemplary service and sacrifices of the 139th Airlift Wing by supporting House Resolution 699.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I certainly hope that the House will support House Resolution 699.

I just want to take this opportunity, on behalf of all members of the Armed Services Committee and all Members of the Congress, to thank the men and women of our National Guard, whatever branch, for the service that you provide this country and particularly the service that you are providing this country in our contingency operations. It's a strain on you. It's a strain on your families, and we're grateful. The Nation owes you. We appreciate your service.

I yield back the balance of my time.

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

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

I rise in support of House Resolution 699, which recognizes the service and sacrifice of the members of the 139th Airlift Wing, Missouri Air National Guard. I want to commend my friend Sam Graves of Missouri for sponsoring this legislation.

The 139th Airlift Wing is a remarkably diverse and capable unit. For example, one of its major subordinate units is the Advanced Airlift Tactics Training Center. That unit exemplifies the total force concept because its members come not only from the Air National Guard but also from the Air Force Reserve and the active Air Force. They provide advanced tactical training to improve the effectiveness and suitability of airlift crews from all components of the Air Force--the Special Operations Command, the Marine Corps, and 15 allied nations.

Members of the wing have deployed in support of operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, to include providing the security element for a Missouri agribusiness development team that returned last fall from a year-long mission in Afghanistan. The success of the 139th Airlift Wing is directly related to the dedication, sacrifice, and professionalism of the nearly 2,500 civilian and military personnel who carry out the unit's missions. Their efforts deserve our recognition and thanks. For that reason, I urge all Members to support this resolution.

Madam Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Graves) who introduced this resolution.

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