[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 10 (Thursday, January 25, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E86]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            TRIBUTE TO MAJ. GEN. EARL G. PECK, USAF, RETIRED

                                 ______


                         HON. MICHAEL BILIRAKIS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, January 25, 1996

  Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to 
pay tribute to a man who has served his country and his State for 
almost 50 years, Maj. Gen. Earl G. Peck. I have had the privilege of 
working with Earl for a number of years on issues of concern to 
veterans.
  General Peck began his military service in 1948 and served for more 
than 36 years in the U.S. Air Force. He was a command pilot with more 
than 7,000 hours in fighters, bombers, tankers, and trainers. Earl 
received numerous military decorations, including the Defense and Air 
Force Distinguished Service Medals, the Legion of Merit with three oak 
leaf clusters, the Bronze Star, the Vietnam Service Medal with four 
campaign stars and the Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with 
Palm.
  During his distinguished military career, Earl held many different 
positions. He served as Chief of Staff, Strategic Air Command; 
Director, Intelligence and Space Policy, Office of the Secretary of 
Defense; Deputy Commander, Sixth Allied Tactical Air Force, Izmir, 
Turkey; Chief, Office of Air Force History; Commandant, Squadron 
Officers School; Commander, 3902d Air Base Wing; Chief, Special Air 
Operations, Vietnam; and many others as a squadron pilot and staff 
officer.
  When the general left the Air Force in 1985, he could have sat back 
and enjoyed his retirement. But as so often is the case with veterans, 
Earl continued to contribute to his community.
  Since his retirement, he has been active in the Retired Officers 
Association, the Air Force Association, and the Order of Daedalians. He 
is also a member of the American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, 
Disabled American Veterans, and Paralyzed Veterans of America.
  In 1989, Earl was appointed as the Executive Director of the Florida 
Department of Veterans' Affairs. Immediately preceding his appointment, 
he was Director of the Florida Division of Veterans' Affairs, the 
department's predecessor.
  As an advocate for Florida's veterans, Earl has worked to improve the 
quality of life for all of the State's 1.73 million veterans. The 
resources of the department has increased by 400 percent, providing 
increased services to veterans. During his tenure, veterans' homes have 
been constructed in Lake City and Daytona Beach and more are planned. 
He has worked to elevate the VA's understanding of Florida's problems 
and to improve the resources and facilities available to our veterans. 
He has always been a valuable resource for our congressional delegation 
in Washington.
  Earl is the outgoing President of the National Association of State 
Directors of Veterans Affairs. Secretary Jesse Brown presented Earl 
with the Secretary's Award for Outstanding State Director--a well-
deserved honor.
  In 1994, I was honored by the Association as ``Man of the Year.'' I 
know he was instrumental in my selection for this award and I am 
grateful for his support.
  As Earl prepares to retire from the Florida Department of Veterans 
Affairs, I wanted to wish him the best of luck in his retirement. 
Although he may be retiring, I know Earl will remain a strong advocate 
for Florida's veterans.

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