[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 84 (Tuesday, June 17, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5734-S5735]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO CHARLES GENTRY

  Mr. DOMENICI. Mr. President, within a few short days, Charles Gentry 
will be leaving his post as my administrative assistant after many 
years of distinguished service in the legislative and executive 
branches of government and 11 years in the U.S. Army.
  Charles has served on my staff twice. First as my legislative 
director and now as my administrative assistant.
  During his first tour of duty on my staff Congress enacted the 
partial deregulation of natural gas. It was a major undertaking. It was 
complicated. It was contentious. Charles masters every aspect of this 
complicated piece of legislation. Looking back, natural gas 
deregulation proved to the country that our Nation has massive 
quantities of natural gas and that market forces would work to 
everyone's advantage.
  Then, as now, no matter what the task, Charles has always been a 
leader. He has always excelled. I could count on him. He knows his 
substance. He knows his politics, and he knows New Mexico.
  During the last 4 years Charles helped me with the critical issues 
facing New Mexico.
  When Kirtland Air Force base was included on the Base Closure 
Commission preliminary list, Charles rolled up his sleeves, and in 
typical Gentry analytical style found out the facts surrounding this 
recommendation. It didn't take him long to pinpoint the shortcomings in 
the Commission's evaluation of Kirtland, and to professionally get the 
facts to the Commission so they could correct their error. Kirtland was 
saved and the defense readiness of the country benefited from Charles' 
hard work.
  The administration's grazing fee hike proposal threatened the way of 
life for hundreds of hard working ranchers in New Mexico. Charles 
worked diligently to educate members of the Senate about the folly of 
this proposal. I will always remember the warm welcome we received when 
we visited southeastern New Mexico and the entire region turned out to 
thank us for delaying the fees.
  Charles has a keen mind for complicated issues, and in New Mexico 
dealing with Sandia and Los Alamos National Laboratories the issues 
don't get much more complicated. Charles was one of my key advisors on 
stockpile stewardship, inhalation toxicology, Nunn-Lugar, and Nunn-
Lugar-Domenici initiatives to minimize nuclear proliferation. He worked 
particularly hard on the Industrial Partnership Program intended to 
provide economic development to Russia. More importantly, this program 
is designed to keep Russian nuclear experts from moving to Iraq or 
Lybia. This is probably one of the most important defense initiatives 
since the Berlin wall came down.
  He worked on minority contracting issues at Los Alamos and Sandia. 
When Lockheed Martin took over Sandia and initiated contract reform 
Charles ensured that small and minority contractors were able to 
maintain their relations with Sandia.
  Two years ago, when I rewrote the energy title of the DOD 
authorization bill Charles initiated the negotiations with the Armed 
Services Committee and facilitated the friendly rewrite of more than 60 
pages of this important legislation.
  Charles has a big heart. New Mexico veterans are developing a 
beautiful Veterans' Memorial Park. When Charles heard about the effort 
during a meeting with me and the sponsors of the park, Charles opened 
his check book and bought the first commemorative tile.
  Charles helped me start the Senate oil and gas forum. He is one of 
the most knowledgeable oil and gas lawyers in the country.
  For the past four years, Charles has been my administrative 
assistant, but our association began many, many years ago. He was 
raised in Roswell, NM, where he attended the New Mexico Military 
Institute. While at NMMI, he was an extraordinary student and athlete. 
Charles was captain of the football team and the New Mexico Golden 
Gloves heavyweight boxing champion. Before earning his B.A. in science 
and mathematics at NMMI, he received

[[Page S5735]]

many academic and athletic honors. In fact, he graduated first in his 
class. He later received a B.S. in civil engineering from the 
University of Missouri and a J.D. from Texas Tech University's School 
of Law.
  He previously served for 6 years as my legislative director, during 
which he became known for his special expertise in natural resources 
and energy issues.
  In the private sector, he has practiced law in both Austin and 
Dallas, TX, specializing in oil and gas, public lands, natural 
resources and environmental law.
  No recounting of Charles Gentry's life of public service would be 
complete without noting nearly 11 years in the U.S. Army, where he 
served with valor as a pilot of fixed and rotary-winged aircraft. When 
Charles's helicopter was shot down in combat in South Vietnam, he was 
severely wounded and ultimately medically discharged with the rank of 
major. His combat decorations include the Bronze Star, Air Medal, Army 
Commendation Medal with two Oak Leak Clusters, and the Purple Heart.
  Following his years of military service, Charles became a White House 
fellow and was assigned as a special assistant to the Attorney General 
of the United States, after which he became Director of the Office of 
Special Projects at the Environmental Protection Agency.
  To summarize our work together in the years that Charles has served 
me, this institution, and the people of New Mexico is a tough job, 
especially since I know that our relationship will not end with his 
leaving my staff. This is not the end of a book, rather merely the 
close of another chapter rich with memories and packed with 
accomplishment. I wish him much success and happiness as he opens the 
door to his new chapter in his life.
  My wife, Nancy, and I look forward to many more years of friendship 
and send our best to Charles and his wife Gerrie, his parents, the Roy 
Gentrys now retired in Albuquerque, his son Geoffrey and daughter 
Cheryl.
  For his fierce intellect, his incredible capacity for hard work, his 
political insight and his faithful friendship for so many years, I say 
from the bottom of my heart, ``Thank you, Charles, for a job well 
done.''
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Missouri is recognized for 8 
minutes.

                          ____________________