[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 114 (Wednesday, September 3, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S8738]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    TRIBUTE TO MAJ. T.A. TAYLOR-HUNT

 Mr. SANTORUM. Mr. President, I rise today to honor a very 
special native of Philadelphia upon her retirement from the U.S. Air 
Force. This extraordinary woman, Maj. T.A. Taylor-Hunt, has served her 
country and her community with grace and distinction.
  To say that T.A. has had an exemplary military career is an 
understatement. Her promise as an officer was evident when she received 
an American Spirit Honor Medal upon graduation from basic training. 
After completing technical school at Shepard AFB, she began a career in 
accounting and finance at Dover AFB, with follow-on assignments that 
took her around the world. At the Strategic Air Command NCO Academy, 
she was recognized as an Honor Graduate, Distinguished Graduate, 
Commandant's Award winner, Academic Champion, and Flight Speech 
Champion. She was the first person in the 25 year history of the 
Academy to receive so many awards. Likewise, T.A. received an 
Instructor's Abilities Award at NCO Leadership School as well as the 
Officer's Training School Flight Academic Achievement Award. As a 
comptroller, T.A. played a critical role in the financial operations of 
Operation Desert Storm. In Europe, she helped to establish an Army 
medical unit in the former Yugoslavia. At the time of her retirement, 
she was the Deputy Chief of Wartime / Contingency Planning at the 
Defense Finance and Accounting Service, Denver Center.
  I would also note that Major Taylor-Hunt graduated summa cum laude 
from the University of Maryland, and she received her masters degree 
with distinction from Webster University. Currently, she is attending 
the University of Denver College of Law.
  In addition to the awards I mentioned earlier, Major Taylor-Hunt has 
received numerous other commendations for her military performance, as 
well as her extensive community service. Her military awards and 
decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Force 
Commendation Medal, the Outstanding Unit Award, and the Air Force 
Special Recognition Ribbon. Some of her other awards include the 1988 
Delegate of the Year for the Coastal Charter Chapter American Business 
Women's Association, the Federal Women's Program Military Officer of 
the Year, a Community Service Award for the Defense Finance and 
Accounting Service, and inclusion in the 1996 Who's Who Among Students 
in American Colleges and Universities.
  Mr. President, given T.A.'s tireless efforts to help the less 
fortunate, it is clear that the recognition she received has been well 
deserved. Her business card describes the way she lives her life. The 
inscription reads, ``Take Care of Others, God Will Take Care of You.'' 
And take care of others she has. T.A. devotes a substantial number of 
hours each week soliciting, collecting, sorting, and distributing 
donations to the homeless, without the assistance of staff. She not 
only meets the basic needs of homeless families such as food and 
clothing, but she also works to correct their credit problems so that 
they can find permanent housing. Likewise, T.A. volunteers at several 
shelters, delivers Meals-On-Wheels, and tutors a fourth grade student.
  I am proud to say that Major Taylor-Hunt's compassion has been 
contagious. What started as an effort to help one family living in a 
school bus has grown into an extensive support network spanning the 
Denver metropolitan region. Through her leadership, families have found 
homes; furniture has been donated; hungry people are being fed; 
children are receiving decent school clothes; and holiday meals and 
gifts are donated regularly.
  In closing, Mr. President, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring 
Maj. T.A. Taylor-Hunt and in extending the Senate's best wishes to her 
family.

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