Recognizing Naval Air Station Lemoore

Floor Speech

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Mr. VALADAO. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Naval Air Station (NAS) Lemoore on its 60th anniversary.

Construction of the Naval Air Base in 1960 brought an important military presence to the Central Valley. On July 8, 1961, thousands came to witness the commissioning of the base, as it became the largest air station on the West Coast. For the next sixty years, NAS Lemoore has been a fixture in the community.

Throughout its history, NAS Lemoore has been critical to the United States Military. The base has trained thousands of Navy pilots since its opening and has been a consistent source of innovation and testing of the newest military equipment. In 1998, NAS Lemoore was chosen to host the latest in Navy aircraft technology, the F/A 18 E/F Super Hornet, and in 2017, the F-35 Lightning II onsite. Today, NAS Lemoore is the Navy's largest master jet base.

NAS Lemoore has not only been vital to the U.S. Military, but it has also been a source of public service for Valley residents. Over the past sixty years, the base has hosted job fairs, partnered with the non-profit group Habitat for Humanity to build homes for veterans, and has hosted air shows featuring the Blue Angels among many other community-centered events.

I ask my colleagues in the United States House of Representatives to join me in celebrating the 60th anniversary of Naval Air Station Lemoore.

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