[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 2 (Thursday, January 5, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E36]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                   TRIBUTE TO COL. RANDY RIHNER, USAF

                                 ______


                           HON. DUNCAN HUNTER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, January 4, 1995
  Mr. HUNTER. Mr. Speaker, a friend of the Congress and a staunch 
advocate of U.S. national security is retiring from the U.S. Air Force 
on February 28 of this year. His name is Lt. Col. Randy Rihner, USAF.
  Colonel Rihner has had a distinguished 22-year military career, which 
included service as a rated navigator and electronic warfare officer 
with operational experience in the B-52 heavy bomber. He also taught at 
the Electronic Warfare School at Mather Air Force Base, in my home 
State of California, and is a distinguished graduate of the Air Force 
Instructor School. He was selected for career broadening in the much 
sought after Education With Industry Program and worked acquisition 
programs for the Air Force.
  For the last 4 years, Colonel Rihner has served in the Secretary of 
the Air Force's Office of Legislative Liaison, with primary 
responsibility for long-range power projection forces. Colonel Rihner 
was tireless in his efforts to ensure the Congress received timely and 
accurate information on which to base its decisions about the future of 
various major defense programs, including the B-2 Stealth bomber and 
other weapon systems.
  Colonel Rihner has received numerous awards and commendations, 
including most recently the Meritorious Service Medal, second Oak Leaf 
Cluster, which is reprinted below.
  Randy plans to remain in the Washington area in order to teach 
science to elementary and middle school students. On behalf of my 
colleagues and the staff on the House National Security Committee, we 
wish Randy and his wife Roberta the very best.
 Citation To Accompany the Award of Meritorious Service Medal, Second 
                Oak Leaf Cluster, to Randolph R. Rihner

       Lieutenant Colonel Randolph R. Rihner distinguished himself 
     in the performance of outstanding service to the United 
     States as Chief, Strategic Air Branch, and Chief, Long Range 
     Power Projection Branch, Weapons Systems Liaison Division, 
     Office of Legislative Liaison, Office of the Secretary of the 
     Air Force, the Pentagon, Washington, District of Columbia, 
     from 28 August 1989 to 28 February 1995. During this period, 
     he made major contributions to the Air Force Long Range Power 
     Projection Programs. Colonel Rihner planned and executed Air 
     Force Stealth Week, a highly successful static display 
     attended by the President and Members of Congress, enhancing 
     support for stealth technology. He ensured the 
     Congressionally directed B-1 Operational Readiness Assessment 
     was drafted with reasonable terms setting the stage for the 
     aircraft's outstanding test results and promising future. Due 
     to Colonel Rihner's personal involvement in legislative 
     activity, Air Force bomber programs remained on track. The 
     singularly distinctive accomplishments of Lieutenant Colonel 
     Rihner culminate a distinguished career in the service of his 
     country and reflect great credit upon himself and the United 
     States Air Force.
     

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