John Spratt: “3 months ago I went with the Secretary of Defense to Aviano where, as the first order of business, we were to be briefed…”

“3 months ago I went with the Secretary of Defense to Aviano where, as the first order of business, we were to be briefed by Brigadier General Dan Leaf, the commander of our air forces there. General Leaf was there to meet us on the runway early that morning even though the night before he had flown a mission himself. He briefed us with confidence, professional pride. And without bluster, he told us that his success to date was due more to the discipline and perfection with which his men had executed their mission, and, yes, their morale, because they believed in what they were doing; and not in the ineffectiveness of our adversary because our adversary was formidable. He did not promise us any quick results, but he did not shrink from the mission, and he left us believing the mission would be accomplished. Well, Mr. Chairman, General Leaf and his troops did not disappoint us. They did what we asked them to do. They demonstrated the prowess of the United States Air Force, once again on a level with the Persian Gulf, and let me say I am proud to represent those troops because some of them came from my district, from Shaw Air Force Base. They did their job, they served us well, they made us proud, and I am here in the well of the House to commend them. They must wonder, as many of us do, why this bill cut short what they have accomplished.”