[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 26 (Thursday, February 29, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Page S1453]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




TRIBUTE TO BRIG. GEN. RICHARD L. REYNARD, STAFF DIRECTOR, SENATE ARMED 
                           SERVICES COMMITTEE

  Mr. THURMOND. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize the 
contributions of Brig. Gen. Richard L. Reynard, the staff director of 
the Committee on Armed Services. Dick Reynard, who is well known to 
many in the Senate and in the Department of Defense, is leaving the 
committee to return to the private sector.
  General Reynard joined the committee as the minority staff director 
in April 1993. He quickly earned the reputation as a capable leader to 
whom the Members and staff could turn for clear advice and counsel. His 
more than 34 years of leadership and management experience in 
government and the private sector served him and the committee very 
well.
  General Reynard was commissioned in the Army as an artillery officer 
following graduation from the U.S. Military Academy in June 1958. He 
served in a wide variety of staff and command assignments at every 
level of the Army, including a combat tour in Vietnam. General Reynard 
taught at the U.S. Military Academy where he helped shape a new 
generation of leaders for our Nation. Many Members of the Senate 
remember Dick Reynard from his assignment as the Army's liaison officer 
to the Senate where he ensured that we understood the Army's priorities 
and traveled with us as we performed our duties around the world.
  Following retirement from the Army, General Reynard worked in the 
private sector as an officer in a small corporation and as a government 
relations specialist. When I asked General Reynard to be my staff 
director, he agreed to return to Government service even though it 
meant personal and financial sacrifice. During his first year in the 
committee, we addressed such important issues as the ``Don't Ask, Don't 
Tell'' policy concerning the service of gays in the military, force 
reduction policies and benefits, assignment of women in the military, 
and Secretary Aspin's reorganization of the Department of Defense. His 
analysis, advice, and ability to protect the minority points of view 
resulted in important legislation which enjoyed bipartisan support. 
Following the elections in November 1994, General Reynard administered 
the transition of the Armed Services Committee from a Republican 
minority to the majority. Under his direction, the Armed Services 
Committee staff was in place and ready to support the committee members 
when the Congress convened in January 1995.
  During his 3 years with the committee, General Reynard earned the 
reputation as a reliable, steady, and fair person to whom Members and 
staff could turn when they sought advice or insight on National 
Security issues. He was a tireless, dedicated, and trusted aide to me. 
I know many in this Chamber join me in expressing our appreciation to 
General Reynard and in wishing him and his wife Bibs well in his new 
endeavors.
  Thank you, Mr. President.

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