Charles Skelton: “Mr. Speaker, I rise to encourage support for this conference report. Not long ago, there were nine men from the 305th…”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise to encourage support for this conference report. Not long ago, there were nine men from the 305th Air Mobility Wing recently reported missing and last seen in the skies over the south Atlantic. For reasons unknown, these crew members aboard the Air Force C-141, in route from Windhoek Airfield, Namibia, to Ascension Island, never fully completed their assigned mission of providing de-mining assistance to the Namibian people. After delivering Army personnel and mine-clearing equipment, their arrival at Ascension never materialized. Evidence indicates a mid-air collision. People from five nations spent several weeks looking for them. I ask all of the Members to look at this bill in light of those who wear the uniform, who are committed, who are courageous, and, sadly, from time to time, lose their lives. I ask all Members to look at this bill, because it does help those personnel and their families. It increases the personnel pay, it raises military construction levels for housing and barracks and command centers. It augments health and child care and other family oriented benefits to improve the quality of life. It adds nearly $3.6 billion for important procurement programs such as air traffic collision avoidance systems.”