[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 118 (Friday, August 19, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: August 19, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                       TRIBUTE TO COL. RAMON CANO

                                 ______


                         HON. ROBERT T. MATSUI

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, August 19, 1994

  Mr. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Col. Ramon 
Cano, the executive support staff officer for the Headquarters, 
California Air National Guard, on the occasion of his upcoming 
retirement from the Air National Guard.
  I join with Colonel Cano's many friends, family members, and 
colleagues who will gather today to honor his nearly 40 years of 
dedicated service to our country.
  Born in Cibuta, Sonora, Mexico, on November 15, 1937, Colonel Cano 
grew up in Tucson, Arizona. After completing high school, basic 
training, and technical school, he was assigned to the Far East Command 
by the U.S. Air Force. From that assignment, he went on to serve at 
Minami-Tama, Japan, as a personnel specialist and classified courier 
Far East. While in Japan, he studied and became fluent in Japanese and 
was frequently directed to travel to various locations throughout the 
Orient to deliver important documents to military officials. He 
returned from overseas to serve as a classification and personnel 
specialist at Keesler Air Force Base, MS, where he served until 
honorably discharged from the Air Force in 1958.
  In 1959, Colonel Cano enlisted in the Arizona Air National Guard in 
his hometown of Tucson. He rapidly rose through the ranks, advancing to 
the grade of master sergeant. Five years later, he transferred to the 
146th Airlift Wing of the California Air National Guard, where he 
served with distinction as the noncommissioned officer in charge of the 
personnel section. At the age of 27, he was promoted to the grade of 
senior master sergeant. In 1967 he was commissioned as a second 
lieutenant, and 1 year later he was elevated to the Headquarters, 
California Air National Guard, serving with great distinction for over 
26 years.
  Colonel Cano excelled in several key positions at the Headquarters, 
California Air National Guard, including personnel officer, personnel 
staff officer, and director of personnel, before advancing to the 
senior management position of Executive Support Staff Officer in 1975. 
In this capacity, Colonel Cano's institutional knowledge, managerial 
expertise, and leadership skills were instrumental to the successful 
establishment and administration of vital policies and programs for the 
California Air National Guard.
  Colonel Cano has long been respected by senior Air National Guard 
officials at the State and national levels, as well as by unit 
commanders throughout the California Air National Guard.
  Charged with performing a wide range of personnel, recruiting and 
retention, information management, and training functions, Colonel 
Cano's staff has followed his lead and maintained a solid reputation 
for quality service. In 1992, this Headquarters received a Quality Air 
Force Assessment from the Mobility Command inspector general, during 
which all functions mentioned were rated outstanding. These high marks 
are indicative of Colonel Cano's leadership.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Colonel 
Cano as he ends his long and distinguished career of faithful and 
dedicated service to our country. We are grateful for his many 
contributions to the Air National Guard and wish him continued success 
in all of his future endeavors.

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