[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 129 (Wednesday, September 24, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1837-E1838]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                TRIBUTE TO LT. COL. DANIEL R. CUNNINGHAM

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOHN P. MURTHA

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 24, 1997

  Mr. MURTHA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to inform the Congress of the 
immminent retirement of Lt. Col. Daniel R. Cunningham, a truly 
outstanding soldier in the U.S. Army. He has served this Nation 
faithfully and honorably for more than 26 years. Lieutenant Colonel 
Cunningham is most deserving of our tribute. His career accomplishments 
reflect the type of military leader this Nation has depended upon for 
over 200 years during peace and war. I would like to take a few minutes 
to outline Dan's career milestones.
  On May 9, 1971, as a distinguished military graduate from the Gonzaga 
University's Reserve Officers Training Corps Program, he was 
commissioned a second lieutenant in the infantry, Regular Army. For the 
next 7 years, he served in a number of troop-leading assignments that 
took him to the 9th Infantry Division, Fort Lewis, WA, the 3d Infantry 
Division, Kitzingen Germany, and the Infantry School, Fort Benning, GA.
  While in Germany, he commanded a mechanized infantry company and 
served as the infantry battalion's principle staff officer for 
logistics. Following his tour in Germany, he attended military schools 
and completed a masters degree in business. After schooling, Dan's 
career turned toward military comptrollership and resource management. 
As a comptroller, he served in the Ballistic Missile Defense Advance 
Technology Center, Huntsville, AL, and at Headquarters Forces Command, 
Fort McPherson, GA. A highly successful comptroller, Colonel Cunningham 
went back to troops serving as an infantry brigade adjutant and an 
infantry battalion executive officer in the 25th Infantry Division, at 
Schofield Barracks, HI.
  The last 7 years of Dan's career have been spent in the Pentagon with 
the exception of 7 months duty in Saudi Arabia with the 22d Support 
Command and Army Central Command

[[Page E1838]]

during Desert Storm. For the past 5\1/2\ years he has served with 
distinction as the Army's liaison to the Appropriations Committees. 
Colonel Cunningham dilgently and successfully worked budget submissions 
and resource issues through seven legislative cycles. During that time 
he has accompanied me on countless trips to almost every trouble spot 
in the world from the hunger and violence of Somalia and Haiti, to the 
destruction in the Balkans. This officer was always on top of the 
issues of the day, and could always be relied on to insure the Congress 
got the right information.
  Lieutenant Colonel Cunningham's awards include the Legion of Merit, 
five awards of the Meritorious Service Medal, two awards of the Army 
Commendation Medal, and two awards of Army Achievement Medal, the 
Southwest Asia Service Medal with Bronze Service Star, the Kuwait 
Liberation Medal, the Parachute Badge, the Air Assault Badge, and the 
Army Staff Badge.
  Mr. Speaker, it is a great honor for me to present the credentials of 
Lieutenant Colonel Cunningham before the Congress today. It is clear 
through his stated and unstated accomplishments for his country that he 
has been a man who daily dedicates himself to the peace and freedom we 
enjoy as a nation today. All his actions reflect a true leader with a 
clear sense of purpose, conviction, and conscience of service to his 
Nation. We wish him continued success in his future endeavors.

                          ____________________