[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 68 (Wednesday, May 15, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E805]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 IN MEMORY OF LIEUTENANT COLONEL OLIVER

                                 ______


                        HON. PATRICK J. KENNEDY

                            of rhode island

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 15, 1996

  Mr. KENNEDY of Rhode Island. Mr. Speaker, I am asking my colleagues 
today to pause and honor the dedicated service given by the men and 
women in the Armed Forces. We all know that this is a dangerous and 
demanding task. In times of peace it is often easy, too easy, to lose 
sight of these facts.
  For my constituents the cold reality of these truths was recently 
brought home when Lt. Col. Allen Oliver, a native of Bristol, RI, was 
killed in a helicopter crash in Columbus, GA on March 1, 1996.
  Colonel Oliver was a second generation Marine. He learned the call of 
duty and honor of service from his father, Edward Oliver, a 
distinguished veteran of World War II. Lieutenant Colonel Oliver was an 
intelligent, hard working, man who could have pursued any career path 
he wanted. He chose to serve his nation.
  Allen Oliver grew up in Bristol, RI, a small town where everyone is a 
neighbor. Allen was respected and liked by all who knew him. Whether it 
was helping to shovel the sidewalk of a friend in need, serving as an 
alter boy, or delivering papers, Allen Oliver was there. The outlines 
of his adult career were taking shape in those early activities.
  As he grew older, Allen knew the path he wanted to take and sought 
admission to the service academies. While he did not get in, he 
continued to pursue a career in the military by enrolling in the ROTC 
at the University of Salt Lake, UT. He graduated with a 4.0 average and 
joined the Marines as a second lieutenant. The next stop for Allen was 
the Marine Corps flight school in Pensacola, FL from which he graduated 
in 1977 as a first lieutenant.
  Service in the corps took Allen Oliver all over the Nation where he 
touched many lives. After the tragic news of Colonel Oliver's death was 
made public, his father was warmed by the outpouring of calls from 
people all across America who had known his son. This is Lieutenant 
Colonel Oliver's legacy.
  The loss of life, especially of one so young and vital, is never 
easy. Words do little to capture the spirit of the person or express 
the depth of our loss. But I know that we can all learn something from 
the life and service of Lieutenant Colonel Oliver.
  Our thoughts are with the Oliver family at this difficult time. The 
loss they have sustained can never be measured, but I hope they can 
draw comfort from the fact the many fine memories of time spent with 
Allen.
  I hope my colleagues will reflect upon the life of this man and draw 
strength and inspiration from the example set by Lieutenant Colonel 
Oliver. This is the most fitting tribute we can pay to him and to his 
family.

                          ____________________