Floor SpeechCeremonial2026-01-13

HONORING LIEUTENANT COLONEL MICHAEL W. KNAPP FOR HIS SERVICE TO THE UNITED STATES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

TaxesForeign PolicyDefenseVeteransInfrastructure

Context

On 2026-01-13, Representative John Garamendi (D-CA-8) delivered a floor speech titled "HONORING LIEUTENANT COLONEL MICHAEL W. KNAPP FOR HIS SERVICE TO THE UNITED STATES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES" in the House. The speech addressed taxes and also covered foreign policy, defense.

Full Text

HONORING LIEUTENANT COLONEL MICHAEL W. KNAPP FOR HIS SERVICE TO THE UNITED STATES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 9 (Tuesday, January 13, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 9 (Tuesday, January 13, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E34] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] HONORING LIEUTENANT COLONEL MICHAEL W. KNAPP FOR HIS SERVICE TO THE UNITED STATES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ______ HON. JOHN GARAMENDI of california in the house of representatives Tuesday, January 13, 2026 Mr. GARAMENDI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor an outstanding officer and strategic leader in our United States Air Force. Lieutenant Colonel Michael W. Knapp distinguished himself through exceptional professional character and dedication by serving this Nation in uniform. For the past two years, Lieutenant Colonel Knapp served admirably as the Deputy Director of Congressional Affairs for U.S. Transportation Command. In this role, he was the principal liaison for Members of Congress and the Commander of the U.S. Transportation Command. Here, he fostered positive relationships between the Congress and the command and conveyed information critical to Congressional oversight, policy development, and appropriations. Lieutenant Colonel Knapp graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy and serves as a senior pilot with over three thousand one hundred flight hours as a combat pilot for the C-17A Globemaster III and as a Vice Presidential pilot on C-32A aircraft. Prior to his assignment at U.S. Transportation Command, he served as Defense Legislative Fellow to Senator Tammy Duckworth, where he advised on defense, foreign relations, and veterans' affairs legislation. As Deputy Director of Congressional Affairs for U.S. Transportation Command, Lieutenant Colonel Knapp scheduled eighty-three office calls between the Commander and Members of Congress. These meetings addressed contested logistics and readiness concerns and fortified posture testimony during Senate and House Armed Services Committee hearings. He also organized the Deputy Commander's annual Hill engagements, educating nearly one hundred staffers on the Mobility Capabilities Study, directly influencing critical report language for aeromedical evacuation requirements. Finally, he developed the command's appropriations engagement strategy thereby protecting $2.8 million dollars for Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation funds for maritime logistics platforms. Of particular note for my district, Lieutenant Colonel Knapp led a four-day congressional staff delegation to California showcasing Ready Reserve Force vessels and joint mobility assets throughout the district, thus bolstering support for maritime equities, surface transportation needs, and air mobility requirements that align perfectly with the Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee's priorities. This engagement provided Congress critical insights and directly influenced the debate for recapitalizing the Ready Reserve Force in the Fiscal Year 2025 National Defense Authorization Act. Mr. Speaker, next month Lieutenant Colonel Knapp will assume duties in my district at Travis Air Force Base, California, as the Director of Operations of the 821st Contingency Response Squadron, where he will once again lead Airmen on the tactical and operational levels. It has been a great pleasure to work with Lieutenant Colonel Knapp during his time representing U.S. Transportation Commands on Capitol Hill. His dedication to the Nation's maritime and air mobility infrastructure, combined with his deep understanding of strategic mobility challenges, made him an invaluable partner in advancing our national defense transportation priorities. On behalf of our grateful Nation, it is my honor to recognize the selfless service and sacrifice of Lieutenant Colonel Knapp and his family for the past sixteen years. I wish them the very best as they continue their journey in our U.S. Air Force, and I look forward to welcoming them to California's 8th Congressional District. Together, we deliver. ____________________

View original source →

HONORING LIEUTENANT COLONEL MICHAEL W. KNAPP FOR HIS SERVICE TO THE UNITED STATES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 9 (Tuesday, January 13, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 9 (Tuesday, January 13, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E34] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] HONORING LIEUTENANT COLONEL MICHAEL W. KNAPP FOR HIS SERVICE TO THE UNITED STATES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ______ HON. JOHN GARAMENDI of california in the house of representatives Tuesday, January 13, 2026 Mr. GARAMENDI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor an outstanding officer and strategic leader in our United States Air Force. Lieutenant Colonel Michael W. Knapp distinguished himself through exceptional professional character and dedication by serving this Nation in uniform. For the past two years, Lieutenant Colonel Knapp served admirably as the Deputy Director of Congressional Affairs for U.S. Transportation Command. In this role, he was the principal liaison for Members of Congress and the Commander of the U.S. Transportation Command. Here, he fostered positive relationships between the Congress and the command and conveyed information critical to Congressional oversight, policy development, and appropriations. Lieutenant Colonel Knapp graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy and serves as a senior pilot with over three thousand one hundred flight hours as a combat pilot for the C-17A Globemaster III and as a Vice Presidential pilot on C-32A aircraft. Prior to his assignment at U.S. Transportation Command, he served as Defense Legislative Fellow to Senator Tammy Duckworth, where he advised on defense, foreign relations, and veterans' affairs legislation. As Deputy Director of Congressional Affairs for U.S. Transportation Command, Lieutenant Colonel Knapp scheduled eighty-three office calls between the Commander and Members of Congress. These meetings addressed contested logistics and readiness concerns and fortified posture testimony during Senate and House Armed Services Committee hearings. He also organized the Deputy Commander's annual Hill engagements, educating nearly one hundred staffers on the Mobility Capabilities Study, directly influencing critical report language for aeromedical evacuation requirements. Finally, he developed the command's appropriations engagement strategy thereby protecting $2.8 million dollars for Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation funds for maritime logistics platforms. Of particular note for my district, Lieutenant Colonel Knapp led a four-day congressional staff delegation to California showcasing Ready Reserve Force vessels and joint mobility assets throughout the district, thus bolstering support for maritime equities, surface transportation needs, and air mobility requirements that align perfectly with the Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee's priorities. This engagement provided Congress critical insights and directly influenced the debate for recapitalizing the Ready Reserve Force in the Fiscal Year 2025 National Defense Authorization Act. Mr. Speaker, next month Lieutenant Colonel Knapp will assume duties in my district at Travis Air Force Base, California, as the Director of Operations of the 821st Contingency Response Squadron, where he will once again lead Airmen on the tactical and operational levels. It has been a great pleasure to work with Lieutenant Colonel Knapp during his time representing U.S. Transportation Commands on Capitol Hill. His dedication to the Nation's maritime and air mobility infrastructure, combined with his deep understanding of strategic mobility challenges, made him an invaluable partner in advancing our national defense transportation priorities. On behalf of our grateful Nation, it is my honor to recognize the selfless service and sacrifice of Lieutenant Colonel Knapp and his family for the past sixteen years. I wish them the very best as they continue their journey in our U.S. Air Force, and I look forward to welcoming them to California's 8th Congressional District. Together, we deliver. ____________________