[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 155 (Friday, October 6, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1899]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



[[Page E 1899]]


 IN HONOR OF JOHN HENRY WALBRIDGE UPON HIS RETIREMENT FROM THE CENTRAL 
                          INTELLIGENCE AGENCY

                                 ______


                           HON. LARRY COMBEST

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 6, 1995

  Mr. COMBEST. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to John Henry 
Walbridge. After a distinguished career with the U.S. Government he is 
retiring from the Central Intelligence Agency's Clandestine Services.
  Mr. Walbridge is an exceptional American who has dedicated his life 
to service to his country. Mr. Walbridge began his career in Government 
service as a cadet at the Citadel, graduating in 1969. Thereafter, he 
entered service in the United States Army as a commissioned officer 
serving in Vietnam with distinction with the Green Berets. Following 
Vietnam, Mr. Walbridge joined the Foreign Service working there for 5 
years when he concluded that he wanted to seek higher education and 
spend several years in Africa working on an advanced degree.
  His broad experience in the military, independence, and tenaciousness 
came to the attention of the Central Intelligence Agency as they were 
looking for bright young officers who could accept the challenging task 
of recruiting and handling human intelligence sources around the world. 
In 1982, Mr. Walbridge began a successful career at the Central 
Intelligence Agency serving in Africa, Europe, and Latin America.
  I wish to highlight that Mr. Walbridge served with great distinction 
in Central America making an important and lasting contribution to the 
establishment of democratic governments in the region. This 
contribution directly reflected his many talents, his steadfast 
loyalty, and his willingness to go to extra measures to ensure that 
this Nation's interests were well served. His performance was of such 
high caliber that he has been strongly recommended for the CIA's Career 
Intelligence Medal in recognition for a lifetime of achievement.
  As chairman of the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, I am 
proud to know that Americans like Mr. Walbridge are serving in our 
intelligence community. They are our first line of defense in a world 
that continues to be fraught with dangers. Please join me in wishing 
John Walbridge a happy and prosperous retirement.

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