[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 102 (Thursday, July 17, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1454]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E1454]]


           TRIBUTE TO COL. THOMAS F. GIOCONDA, U.S. AIR FORCE

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOHN P. MURTHA

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 17, 1997

  Mr. MURTHA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a dedicated 
U.S. Air Force officer as he departs from his post as the legislative 
assistant for the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to become the 
Principal Deputy Secretary of Energy, and U.S. Military Representative 
for Defense Programs.
  Col. Thomas F. Gioconda deserves our tribute. He has been connected 
with the Congress in one position or another for over 8 years of his 
distinguished 27 year Air Force career. His career accomplishments 
reflect the type of leader this Nation has depended upon for over 200 
years during peace and conflict. I would like to take a moment to 
highlight Tom's career milestones.
  A native of Philadelphia, PA, Colonel Gioconda is a graduate of St. 
Joseph's University, Philadelphia, PA, class of 1970. Colonel Gioconda 
also earned a master's degree in school administration from Seton Hall 
University, and a masters degree in business administration from the 
University of Montana. His military career began in 1970 with his first 
assignment to Malstrom AFB, MT, where he served as a missile launch 
officer. After 4 years as a wing missile operations crew instructor, he 
served as an AFROTC instructor at his alma mater for 2 years, followed 
by another 2 years at New Jersey Institute of Technology. He then 
served as a missile operations instructor and section chief at the 
4315th Combat Crew Training Squadron, Vandenberg AFB, CA.
  Recognizing his leadership skills, he was assigned to headquarters, 
Strategic Air Command, as a plans and programs officer, and later 
became the Congressional Liaison Branch Chief. His exceptional 
performance in this assignment lead to a follow on tour to 
headquarters, U.S. Air Force at the Pentagon where he served as a 
Congressional Affairs Action Officer for the Air Force Deputy Chief of 
Staff for Plans and Operations. During this tour he was selected for 
squadron command. Colonel Gioconda assumed command of the 510th 
Strategic Missile Squadron at Whiteman AFB, MO. His squadron was 
charged with the one-of-a-kind Emergency Rocket Communication System 
[ECRS] mission. While in command, Colonel Gioconda and his unit hosted 
the first visit of the Commander in Chief of the Soviet Rocket Forces 
to an operational U.S. missile launch control center. After 
successfully completing his command tour, Colonel Gioconda was hand 
picked to be a legislative assistant to the chairman and vice-chairman.
  He has been the principal liaison officer to Congress for both 
General Powell and General Shalikashvili during momentous times in our 
Nation's history--the end of the cold war, Operations Desert Storm, 
Provide Promise, Provide Hope, Provide Comfort, Southern Watch, Deny 
Flight, and Restore Democracy, Joint Endeavor, as well as countless 
other military operations and deployments. Tom has accompanied me on 
factfinding visits to the former Republic of Yugoslavia. Tom was always 
on top of the issues of the day. I and many others of this body have 
depended on him for complete, timely, sound, and accurate information 
and advice.
  Colonel Gioconda has been awarded the Defense Distinguished Service 
Medal, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service 
Medal (four oak leaf clusters), three Air Force Commendation Medals, 
the Air Force Achievement Medal, the Combat Readiness Medal, the 
Outstanding Voluntary Service Medal, and the Command Missile Badge. He 
is married to the former Anita Pamenter of Great Falls, MT, and has 
three sons, Thomas, Tony, and T.J.
  In December 1995, Colonel Gioconda was selected for promotion to 
brigadier general. He will be promoted on August 1, 1997.
  Mr. Speaker, it is a great honor and personal privilege for me to 
present his credentials and this tribute to Col. Thomas F. Gioconda 
before the Congress today. It is clear, through his record of 
accomplishment and his command assignments, that he is someone 
dedicated to the peace and freedom this Nation enjoys today. All his 
actions reflect a professional Air Force officer with the clear sense 
of honor, integrity, and purpose found in the finest military officers 
of this Nation. We wish him every success in what I know will be a 
bright future. May he always have fair winds and blue skies.

                          ____________________