[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 37 (Monday, March 18, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2218-S2219]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        TRIBUTE TO COY A. SHORT UPON WINNING THE SAM NUNN AWARD

  Mr. THURMOND. Mr. President, the United States gained its freedom 
from our colonial masters in a bloody and hard fought war for 
independence. By the end of our 8-year struggle with the Crown, the 
young United States possessed the Continental Army, the force that 
ultimately defeated the English, but in 1776, it was ordinary men who 
grabbed weapons and first fired on the redcoats at Lexington. With that 
``shot heard 'round the World,'' not only was a blow for freedom 
struck, but the tradition of the citizen-soldier was hatched, one that 
remains alive and strong in our Nation today in the form of the 
National Guard.
  In cities and towns throughout the United States, one will find 
armories where men and women, much like their Minuteman forefathers, 
drill and prepare to meet the missions with which they are tasked. 
While much about the Guard has changed since the 1700's, muskets have 
been replaced by M-16A2 rifles and the horse cavalry has been replaced 
by the M1A2 main battle tank, one thing has remained constant, that 
those who serve in the Guard are willing to serve selflessly as they 
come to the aid of their community and work for the defense of the 
United States.

[[Page S2219]]

  In recent years, perhaps one of the biggest backers of the National 
Guard here in the Senate has been my good friend, and predecessor as 
chairman of the Armed Services Committee, Senator Sam Nunn of Georgia. 
Over the years, Senator Nunn has established a well-deserved reputation 
for being one of the most well-versed Members of the Senate in matters 
related to defense and national security. Without question, his opinion 
is valued and respected by Senators on both sides of the aisle, by 
senior officers in each of the services, by Presidents, and by the 
people of the United States. He has stood as an advocate for a strong 
defense, including what he believes should be a well-trained, well-
equipped, and well-supported National Guard.
  In recognition of Senator Nunn's support of the military and his 
belief in the National Guard, the National Guard Association of Georgia 
established the Sam Nunn Award which it presents each year to a person 
who they believe has demonstrated ``solid and continuous support for 
the role, function, mission and purpose of the National Guard in 
meeting its international, national, state, and local mission.'' I am 
very proud to have been the recipient of the award for 1995, and I am 
pleased to have this opportunity to congratulate my friend, Mr. Coy 
Short of Atlanta, on being awarded this recognition by the National 
Guard Association of Georgia this year.
  I have had the pleasure of knowing Coy for a number of years, over 
which time he has consistently demonstrated not only his patriotism, 
but his support for those who serve in all branches of the service, in 
both the Active Forces, the Reserves, and the Guard. He is a person who 
has taken a leadership role in community-military relations, lending 
his leadership to a number of committees designed to serve those who 
serve, including the Governor's Military Advisory Council; the USO 
Council of Georgia; and the Atlanta Chamber of Commerce's Greater 
Atlanta Military Affairs Council. His efforts on behalf of those in 
uniform have been recognized numerous times over the years by the Army, 
the National Guard, and by defense-related and community-spirited 
groups in the following manners:
  The 94th Airlift Wing Man of the Year Award; National Committee for 
Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Award for Outstanding Public 
Service; Oglethorpe Distinguished Services Medal for Outstanding 
Support of the Georgia National Guard, and National Distinguished 
Service Award, Association of the United States Army.
  Also the Phoenix Award by the Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, for 
providing leadership to the Greater Atlanta Military Affairs Council; 
Award from the National Guard Bureau for outstanding support of the 
Army National Guard; and Army Commendation Medal for public service on 
behalf of Forces Command.
  Coy Short not only works hard on behalf of Atlanta's military 
community, he is one of the city's biggest boosters. As a member of the 
Peach Bowl's executive committee, he helps to make one of college 
football's most popular events a success, and through his position as 
the Deputy Regional Commissioner for the Social Security 
Administration's Atlanta region, Coy's professional efforts have 
benefited tens of thousands of Georgians. Not surprisingly, he has been 
recognized by the Social Security Administration for his work, 
including being awarded the Commissioner's Citation, the highest 
recognition that can be given by that agency.
  At this very moment, there are National Guard soldiers and airmen who 
are selflessly serving in dangerous assignments throughout the world, 
and if given the opportunity, I am certain that they would want to 
express their appreciation to Coy Short for all he has done to support 
them. I join these brave men and women who are serving in the defense 
of our Nation, along with the National Guard Association of Georgia, in 
saluting a man who sets the highest standard for civic mindedness and 
support for the Nation's military forces. His efforts make Atlanta a 
better place to live and the United States a safer and more secure 
Nation.

                          ____________________