[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 92 (Thursday, June 26, 1997)]
[House]
[Pages H4824-H4825]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                HONORING GENERAL THOMAS S. MOORMAN, Jr.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Pease). Under a previous order of the

[[Page H4825]]

House, the gentleman from Maryland [Mr. Hoyer] is recognized for 5 
minutes.
  Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge and applaud the 
life and labors of my friend, Gen. Thomas S. Moorman, Jr., the Vice 
Chief of Staff of the U.S. Air Force.
  The gentleman from Tennessee [Mr. Wamp], in his suggestion to yield 
to me, mentioned that I wanted to speak about an American patriot. He 
was absolutely correct.
  Mr. Speaker, it is a very special honor for me to congratulate 
General Moorman on his retirement. Forty years ago, General Moorman and 
I attended Suitland High School together. I graduated in 1957 and 
General Moorman graduated in 1958. I knew then that Tom Moorman was 
going to achieve great heights.
  I had the distinct pleasure of serving as Tom's campaign chair when 
he ran and won his bid for president of the student council at Suitland 
High School in 1957. I say to my colleagues, Suitland High School is 
about 15 minutes from this Capitol building. Even at the age of 17, 
General Moorman displayed outstanding leadership skills. That 
foreshadowed his future success.
  After graduating from high school, he attended Dartmouth College, and 
was a distinguished military graduate of the Air Force Reserve Officer 
Training Corps program in 1962. For the past three and a half decades 
General Moorman has served this great Nation in a number of different 
and important ways.
  General Moorman comes from a rich heritage of service to our military 
and our Nation. His father was a brigadier general at Andrews Air Force 
Base, located in Prince Georges County and was then commanding the 
weather service for the U.S. Air Force. His father retired after 
completing a tour as superintendent of the U.S. Air Force Academy in 
Colorado Springs.
  His father's example of excellence and service to country propelled 
Tom to the pinnacle of his profession as a four-star general. En route 
to his position, General Moorman served in a variety of intelligence 
and reconnaissance related positions around the world. Our country is 
particularly indebted to him for his contributions to the growth and 
exploitation of space as a key element of our national security 
strategy.
  His legacy of involvement in space activities began with the planning 
and organization for the establishment of the Air Force Space Command 
which he would later head. His program provided management mobility for 
the conception and maturation of Air Force surveillance, communication, 
navigation and weather satellites, space launch vehicles, and ground-
based and strategic radars.
  Mr. Speaker, his numerous military awards and decorations include, 
among others, the Distinguished Service Medal, the Defense Superior 
Service Medal, the Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster, the 
Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster, the Air Force 
Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster, and the National Intelligence 
Distinguished Service Medal.
  In addition, he has received other prestigious awards from the 
aerospace community, including the National Geographic Society's Thomas 
D. White U.S. Air Force Space Trophy, the Dr. Robert H. Goddard 
Memorial Trophy, the Ira C. Eaker Fellowship Award, and the Eugene M. 
Zukert Management Award.
  Among many accomplishments, General Moorman's greatest contribution 
has been his leadership related to the space programs. As I have said, 
he has played a pivotal role in establishing national and Defense 
Department space policy and developing improved space capabilities.
  Mr. Speaker, the scriptures remind us ``that he that is faithful with 
little shall be faithful with much.'' This reference epitomizes the 
energy and work ethic of General Moorman. His early days at Suitland 
High to his climb as Vice Chief of Staff have included multiple tasks, 
always pursued with the very same tenacity. He has been faithful to his 
principles, to his beloved Air Force, and to his country.
  The United States, Mr. Speaker, is indebted to Gen. Thomas S. 
Moorman, Jr., for selfless service. His careful and ceaseless efforts 
have laid a foundation for the space and Air Force capabilities which 
will be a vital part of a strong national security in the 21st century.
  I am pleased today, Mr. Speaker, to celebrate before this Congress 
the accomplishments and retirement of my close and good friend, Thomas 
Moorman. However, I count him as a friend not for the stars on his 
uniform but for his integrity and his service to his country.
  On behalf of my colleagues in the Congress and as a proud friend, I 
wish General Moorman sincere thanks for a his commitment and his 
success. Tom, may your retirement be filled with new opportunities and 
God's richest effort blessings.
  Mr. Speaker, a good nation expresses its profound appreciation for a 
job well done. Our Nation is more secure and stronger for your having 
served and led the world's finest Air Force.

                          ____________________