[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 123 (Tuesday, September 10, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1546-E1547]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        TRIBUTE TO MAJ. GEN. WILLIAM E. EICHER, U.S. ARMY, RET.

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. FLOYD SPENCE

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 10, 1996

  Mr. SPENCE. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize the illustrious 
career of Maj. Gen. William E. Eicher, U.S. (Ret.), who officially 
retired as vice president of technical services of the American Defense 
Preparedness Association on August 31 of this year. General Eicher will 
be honored officially on September 16 with the William R. Moseley Award 
for excellence in munitions management. This award was established in 
1982 and named after a long time executive and chairman of the board of 
Day and Zimmermann, Inc., a Pennsylvania based munitions producer. The 
William R. Moseley Award panel has selected General Eicher because he 
has made the greatest overall contribution to the munitions program 
this year.
  I had the pleasure of meeting General Eicher and recognized in him an 
earnest commitment to the security of this great Nation. His career is 
one threaded with remarkable accomplishments, and so I wish to share 
with my colleagues some of the highlights of General Eicher's 44 years 
of distinguished service to our Nation.
  General Eicher was a commander, logistician, staff officer, and 
systems manager during 32 years of active military service. He 
commanded logistical activities both at retail and wholesale levels. 
Similarly, he was also involved in the acquisition, production, and 
distribution of material. He was on the staff of the Army Material 
Command as director of maintenance. His responsibilities included 
directing that Command's worldwide maintenance management program. As 
Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics on the Army staff, he 
assisted in the worldwide management of all aspects of the Army's 
complex logistic structure.
  For over 5 years he was commander of the Army's Armament Material 
Readiness Command and was responsible for dispensing operable/quality 
munitions and armament material worldwide to the Department of Defense 
and Allied Forces. He controlled multifaceted operations in such 
disciplines as procurement, industrial operations, material and 
maintenance management, personnel, management information systems, 
engineering quality assurance, and financial management. Inherent in 
General Eicher's role as commander were the responsibilities to plan, 
organize, review, and manage people and things.
  He exercised extensive responsibilities in the management of weapon 
systems and conventional munitions, and he was deeply involved in the 
acquisition and production of both weapons/ammunition. His working 
knowledge of armaments supply and maintenance activities of fielded 
systems gave him unique

[[Page E1547]]

insight into the logistics requirements of systems support. He has a 
broad background in integrated logistics support management and the 
application of this process to both developmental and fielded material.
  General Eicher joined the American Defense Preparedness Association 
in 1984 as vice president, technical services. He was responsible for 
the overall operations of the technical services, which consists of 26 
technical divisions, and for the conduct of over 50 meetings a year. 
His additional responsibilities included conducting studies and 
roundtable type meetings, publication of white papers, and a wide range 
of support activities for the Department of Defense and other U.S. 
Government agencies.
  As vice president, technical services, General Eicher was in the 
forefront of the efforts to define and maintain a viable industrial 
base consistent with national security interests. His skillful 
leadership was especially crucial during the ongoing adjustments in 
post-cold-war defense policies. His insights were regularly sought by 
the Department of Defense, thereby enhancing ADPA's contribution to the 
formulation of industrial base policies. ADPA's enviable reputation as 
a forum for ethical dialog between Government and industry is largely 
attributable to General Eicher's vision and his keen appreciation of 
industrial base issues. Working with industry and Government 
volunteers, he consistently designed and directed programs of 
exceptional technical conferences that are the hallmark of ADPA's 
service to the Nation and defense community.
  Mr. Speaker, General Eicher's distinguished career is a model of hard 
work, loyalty, and patriotism. I ask my colleagues to join me in 
thanking him for his contributions to our Nation. Furthermore, I want 
to extend my congratulations to General Eicher for being honored as 
this year's recipient of the William R. Moseley Award. I wish General 
Eicher and his family success and happiness in the coming years.

                          ____________________