[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 6]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 8078]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 IN HONOR OF THE DOVER AIR FORCE BASE WINNER OF THE 2008 COMMANDER-IN-
               CHIEF'S AWARD FOR INSTALLATION EXCELLENCE

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MICHAEL N. CASTLE

                              of delaware

                    in the house of representatives

                         Wednesday, May 7, 2008

  Mr. CASTLE. Madam Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I rise 
today to recognize the Dover Air Force Base upon receiving the 
prestigious 2008 Commander-in-Chief's Award for Installation 
Excellence. This is the first time in the 23-year history of the award 
that an Air Mobility Command installation has been recognized as the 
best in the Air Force.
  The Commander-in-Chief's Annual Award for Installation Excellence 
honors the efforts of those who operate and maintain U.S. military 
bases. The Dover Air Force Base was one of only five recipients of this 
award, given for their outstanding support of Department of Defense 
missions through exceptional practices, which enhance the quality of 
life for members of our military and allow for better mission 
performance. The Dover Air Force Base competed against 117 wings 
throughout the entire Air Force to win the award and $1 million to be 
used to further enhance the quality of life for base residents. Team 
Dover was distinguished for its many efforts to increase efficiency, 
including the opening of a technologically advanced Air Freight 
Terminal and its use of Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st 
Century. In addition, the base was named the Air Force's Outstanding 
Housing Installation Team for a Privatized Location.
  The award money will be used to continue to keep Dover Air Force Base 
top among the nation's air bases in terms of quality of life for its 
residents. Selected projects include making needed upgrades to the 
base's movie theater, repairing the running track and football field, 
constructing a jogging and walking path, and putting in a new wireless 
audio system in the Fitness Center. Part of the funds will also go 
toward installing flush-mounted lights along three crosswalks to better 
alert drivers to pedestrians on the street. The goal of these projects 
is to keep the fitness and safety of our soldiers and their families at 
the top of Team Dover's list of priorities.
  I congratulate the military and civilian employees at the Dover Air 
Force Base for the momentous achievement of receiving the Commander-in-
Chief's Award for Installation Excellence. It is a compelling testament 
to the excellence with which each and every duty is performed by the 
men and women of Team Dover. The superiority of their work is vital to 
the critical task of maintaining our military's prominence in the 
world.

                          ____________________