Ron Barber

Mr. Speaker, I missed two recorded votes on December 9. I would like to indicate at this point how I would have voted had I been present for those votes.

On Roll Call No. 552, on Motion to Recommit the California Emergency Drought Relief Act 2014, I would have voted ``aye.''

On Roll Call No. 553, passage of the California Emergency Drought Relief Act 2014, I would have voted ``nay.''

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 55th Electronic Combat Group, the Compass Call mission, and its 25th anniversary of combat operations in defense of our great nation. Compass Call is a United States Air Force mission that uses modified C- 130s to fly above contested airspace, jamming

enemy command and control communications. By targeting enemy navigation, radar and data systems, Compass Call helps save lives on the ground and in the air.

This Saturday, current and past members of the Compass Call mission will be taking part in a reunion in Tucson, Arizona, my home district. Since Operation Just Cause ended the military dictatorship of Manuel Noriega in Panama, Compass Call has been flying in every major conflict over the past 25 years.

Spanning the last eleven years, Compass Call has provided exceptional electronic warfare protection for the United States and allied forces in Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. To date, the mission has amassed 37,000 combat hours and there is a high likelihood that at this moment, there is an EC-130H flying overhead providing coverage for our troops.

I am proud that Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson is home to Compass Call. No state is as fiercely loyal to our service members as Arizona.

It is our honor to celebrate with the 55th Electronic Combat Group as they reunite this weekend.

It is no wonder that the group has been awarded the Air Force's 2014 Electronic Combat Annual Award Program Unit of the Year and the Air Force's Association of Old Crows Outstanding Electronic Combat Unit of the Year.

What these men and women do behind the scenes may not get much attention but it is what wins wars.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition and celebration of the El Rio Community Health Center of Tucson, Arizona,

which is celebrating the opening of its new Congress Health Center.

The El Rio Community Health Center is one of the largest non-profit community health centers in the United States. Founded in 1970 by Tucsonans committed to bringing accessible and affordable health care to all, the El Rio Community Health Center serves over 900 people each day, more than three-fourths of whom live at or below the federal poverty level.

El Rio's brand new, 54,000 square foot facility makes state-of-the- art healthcare accessible to all residents of southeastern Arizona's largest city. The new facility will help El Rio serve an additional six thousand patients each year, as well as creating numerous new health care jobs and helping our local economy thrive.

I congratulate the El Rio Community Health Center and support its continued efforts to make sure all people are able to access the health services they need.