Col. Gail S. Halvorsen ``Candy Bomber'' Veterans Center

Floor Speech

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of S. 2514, a bill to rename the Provo Veterans Center in Utah after Colonel Gail Halvorsen.

Colonel Halvorsen is a Salt Lake City native who joined the Army Air Corps in 1942, in the midst of World War II. He served as a transport pilot and participated in the Berlin Airlift.

It was in Berlin where he earned the nickname ``The Candy Bomber'' for handing out pieces of candy to local children and, later, dropping candy from his aircraft while flying missions over the city.

Colonel Halvorsen retired from the military in 1974 after 31 years in uniform. He spent his civilian life as an active volunteer in his church and community. He passed away in February of this last year at age 101.

Mr. Speaker, it is with the deepest respect for Colonel Halvorsen's long life of service that we support the bill to allow the Provo Vet Center to bear his name.

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Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to support this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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