Fort Bliss Monitor

Congressional delegation visits Bliss

Dustin Perry
Assistant Editor

Members of the Congressional Delegation line up to greet the returning Soldiers from the 31st Combat Support Hospital who had been deployed to Iraq for a year.

A Congressional Delegation comprised of several politicians – including members of Congress Heather Wilson of New Mexico, Duncan Hunter of California, El Paso Representative Silvestre Reyes and various members of the House Committee – visited Fort Bliss Jan. 7 as part of a goodwill tour to meet with members of the military and offer their appreciation.

Fort Bliss was the final stop on the delegation’s tour, which also traveled to North and South Carolina and included visits with Marines and Airmen.

Upon the delegation’s arrival at the Departure/Arrival Air Control Group in Biggs Army Airfield, a surplus of medical supplies donated by local hospitals was moved from their plane and prepared for shipment to aid victims of the recent tsunami disaster in Southern Asia. After the supplies were loaded the delegation went to Stafford Dining Facility where they sat and talked with a group of Soldiers while eating lunch.

“We’re very proud of the job you’re doing, and we want to hear some feedback on what we could be doing better,” Reyes told the Soldiers. “Thanks for doing your job to make sure we benefit from the freedoms some take for granted.”

North Carolina Representative Robin Hayes expressed her gratitude, saying they were “a great group of Soldiers” and “without national security, none of the freedoms we have could come to us.”

“There are a lot of people who don’t know what freedom is and you’re bringing that to them,” added Hayes.
Another member of the delegation was Scott Turner, a cornerback for the Denver Broncos who isn’t currently playing due to an injury. He asked to be a part of the tour and was on hand to speak to the Soldiers and sign autographs.

“We as players in the NFL appreciate what you do. We respect and have great admiration for you all,” said Turner. “The magnitude of what you do is just unsurpassed.”

A representative was also on hand to raffle off several prizes donated by the El Paso business community, including Xbox game consoles, CD and MP3 players, DVDs, T-shirts and caps.

The delegation then returned to Biggs just in time to welcome about 200 Soldiers from the 31st Combat Support Hospital returning from a yearlong deployment to Iraq..

Volunteers load medical supplies bound for tsunami victims in Southwest Asia.

Denver Bronco cornerback Scott Turner chows down with Soldiers during the Congressional Delegation visit to Bliss.



www.bliss.army.mil	Published for the Fort Bliss/El Paso, Texas Community	January 13, 2005

	Congressional delegation visits Bliss Dustin Perry Assistant Editor Members of the Congressional Delegation line up to greet the returning Soldiers from the 31st Combat Support Hospital who had been deployed to Iraq for a year. A Congressional Delegation comprised of several politicians – including members of Congress Heather Wilson of New Mexico, Duncan Hunter of California, El Paso Representative Silvestre Reyes and various members of the House Committee – visited Fort Bliss Jan. 7 as part of a goodwill tour to meet with members of the military and offer their appreciation. Fort Bliss was the final stop on the delegation’s tour, which also traveled to North and South Carolina and included visits with Marines and Airmen. Upon the delegation’s arrival at the Departure/Arrival Air Control Group in Biggs Army Airfield, a surplus of medical supplies donated by local hospitals was moved from their plane and prepared for shipment to aid victims of the recent tsunami disaster in Southern Asia. After the supplies were loaded the delegation went to Stafford Dining Facility where they sat and talked with a group of Soldiers while eating lunch. “We’re very proud of the job you’re doing, and we want to hear some feedback on what we could be doing better,” Reyes told the Soldiers. “Thanks for doing your job to make sure we benefit from the freedoms some take for granted.” North Carolina Representative Robin Hayes expressed her gratitude, saying they were “a great group of Soldiers” and “without national security, none of the freedoms we have could come to us.” “There are a lot of people who don’t know what freedom is and you’re bringing that to them,” added Hayes. Another member of the delegation was Scott Turner, a cornerback for the Denver Broncos who isn’t currently playing due to an injury. He asked to be a part of the tour and was on hand to speak to the Soldiers and sign autographs. “We as players in the NFL appreciate what you do. We respect and have great admiration for you all,” said Turner. “The magnitude of what you do is just unsurpassed.” A representative was also on hand to raffle off several prizes donated by the El Paso business community, including Xbox game consoles, CD and MP3 players, DVDs, T-shirts and caps. The delegation then returned to Biggs just in time to welcome about 200 Soldiers from the 31st Combat Support Hospital returning from a yearlong deployment to Iraq.. Volunteers load medical supplies bound for tsunami victims in Southwest Asia. Denver Bronco cornerback Scott Turner chows down with Soldiers during the Congressional Delegation visit to Bliss.