The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“CELEBRATING THE 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF NAS-KINGSVILLE” mentioning the U.S. Dept of Agriculture was published in the Extensions of Remarks section on pages E1061 on July 26, 2017.
The Department is primarily focused on food nutrition, with assistance programs making up 80 percent of its budget. Downsizing the Federal Government, a project aimed at lowering taxes and boosting federal efficiency, said the Department implements too many regulations and restrictions and impedes the economy.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
CELEBRATING THE 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF NAS-KINGSVILLE
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HON. FILEMON VELA
of texas
in the house of representatives
Wednesday, July 26, 2017
Mr. VELA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Naval Air Station (NAS) Kingsville as it marks 75 years of service to the U.S. Navy and our nation.
Located in Kingsville, Texas, the Naval Air Station was opened on July 4, 1942. Inspired by the establishment of the nearby Naval Air Station in Corpus Christi, a group of Kingsville civic leaders approached Navy officials at NAS Corpus Christi about creating a military airfield in February, 1941. While they did not receive official permission at that time, NAS Corpus Christi's commanding officer, Captain Alva D. Bernhard, expressed enthusiasm about the idea.
After the December 7, 1941 Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Captain Bernhard predicted a military build-up including the influx of new trainees which would exceed the capacity of NAS-Corpus Christi, and plans to construct a new airfield in Kingsville began.
The airfield was quickly built on 3,000 acres of land bought from the B.O. Sims family. During World War II, the airfield, designated as ``P-
4,'' housed four squadrons. The squadrons taught gunnery skills for combat air crews, in addition to fighter and bomber tactics. After the war, the base was given to the City of Kingsville, which leased it to the Texas College of Arts and Industries. It was primarily used by the Department of Agriculture and expanded under the college's ownership.
The base was reactivated as a military installation in April, 1951, as an auxiliary air station, and trained roughly 300 aviators a year during the mid-1960s. In 1967, Congress approved $3.8 million in funding for NAS-Kingsville, allowing it to improve operation and maintenance facilities, as well as troop housing. The base was re-
designated as a naval air station on August 9, 1968. In 1990, it became the headquarters for Training Air Wing Two, a mission that continues today.
Training Air Wing Two includes Training Squadron Twenty One and Training Squadron Twenty Two. Around 150 students report to Training Air Wing Two annually for Undergraduate Jet Pilot Training. The Naval Air Station at Kingsville currently occupies 23,000 acres of land, spread across four sites, and employs around 1,350 people, in addition to training 50 percent of Navy and Marine Corps tactical jet pilots every year. Its economic impact on the surrounding community is also significant, as it provides roughly $110 million dollars to the local area. This economic impact is matched by the installation's community outreach program, which includes school mentorship assistance and community self-help program assistance.
NAS-Kingsville has a long history of supporting both the local community and the country, and will continue to do so for years to come. I rise today to congratulate them on 75 successful years.
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