Political Quotes

“I rise today to recognize Lt. Gen. Steve Basham, who recently departed his position as Director of Air Force Legislative Liaison and assumes his new duties as Deputy Commander of the U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces in Africa. As the Director of Legislative Affairs of the Air Force, Lieutenant General Basham worked directly with the Senate and the House of Representatives on all aspects of organizing, training, and equipping our airmen to project global combat power abroad. Throughout this time, then-Major General Basham prepared the Secretary and the Chief of Staff of the Air Force, as well as other senior Air Force leaders, for engagements on Capitol Hill, to include extensive testimony before congressional committees. A product of some of these strategic engagements was the decision to select Ellsworth Air Force Base as the first unit to host the B-21 Raider bomber, a strategic decision that I personally thank the Secretary of the Air Force for making. I also thank Lieutenant General Basham for his steadfast efforts in the deliberate decision-making process. In 1989, following his graduation from Western Kentucky University, Lieutenant General Basham was commissioned through Air Force Officer Training School and achieved his flying wings. Over the course of his distinguished career, he has attained a command pilot rating with more than 3,400 flying hours in the T-37, T-38, B-1, B-2, and B-52 aircraft.…”