[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 158 (Monday, November 10, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2302]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  A TRIBUTE TO LT. TRACY A. BARKHIMER

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JIM KOLBE

                               of arizona

                    in the house of representatives

                        Sunday, November 9, 1997

  Mr. KOLBE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a truly outstanding 
naval officer, Lt. Tracy Anne Barkhimer, U.S. Navy. Lieutenant 
Barkhimer will soon be completing her assignment as liaison officer in 
the Navy's Office of Legislative Affairs, Rayburn House Office 
Building. It is a distinct pleasure for me to recognize a few of her 
many outstanding accomplishments.
  A native of Staten Island, NY, Lieutenant Barkhimer received a 
bachelor of engineering degree in electrical engineering and an 
unlimited tonnage/any ocean third mates' license in the U.S. Merchant 
Marine from the State University of New York Maritime College and was 
commissioned an ensign in August 1988. Lieutenant Barkhimer completed 
naval aviation training in the T-34C airplane and in the H-57B 
helicopter in Pensacola, FL, and was designated an unrestricted naval 
aviator in June 1990.
  After receiving her wings of gold, Lieutenant Barkhimer was 
transferred to the H-46 Helicopter Fleet Replacement Squadron in San 
Diego, CA for training in the Sea Knight helicopter. In August 1991, 
she reported to Helicopter Combat Support Squadron Eleven [HC-11] as an 
operations officer. During her tour, she deployed as a copilot for 6 
months aboard U.S.S. Wabash [AOR5], participating in Operations Desert 
Shield and Desert Storm. Lieutenant Barkhimer also flew marines under 
combat conditions to the shores of Mogadishu, Somalia as U.S. forces 
worked to secure the airport and the U.S. Embassy. While on shore, 
Lieutenant Barkhimer performed duties as the squadron NATOPS officer, 
nuclear safety officer, assistant administrative officer and 
administrative department head for 3 months.
  Lieutenant Barkhimer then deployed aboard U.S.S. Camden [AOE2] as 
assistant officer in charge/operations officer of a two-plane 
detachment with a compliment of 30 maintenance personnel. During this 
6-month deployment, she participated as an aircraft commander in 
Operations Desert Storm and Restore Hope. Upon successful completion of 
her second deployment, she returned to PC-11 as administrative officer 
and reached the 1,000 flight hours in model milestone. In January 1995, 
Lieutenant Barkhimer was handpicked as a liaison officer to the House 
of Representatives for the Navy's Chief of Legislative Affairs.
  Lieutenant Barkhimer has made a lasting contribution during her 3-
year tenure at the Navy Liaison Office. She has processed thousands of 
sensitive constituent inquiries for the 104th and 105th Congresses in a 
timely, highly efficient, and caring manner.
  Lieutenant Barkhimer planned and escorted numerous staff delegation 
orientation trips to various Navy and Marine Crops units and 
installations across the United States, introducing key congressional 
military advisors to the issues and challenges facing the sea services. 
Her extensive professional knowledge of aviation, surface and submarine 
programs, and impressive ability to communicate Navy legislative 
priorities.
  Lieutenant Barkhimer flawlessly planned and executed three major 
overseas congressional delegation trips, two of which were led by 
myself. Her meticulous attention to detail and outstanding 
organizational skills were absolutely essential to the success of these 
trips.
  Mr. Speaker, Tracy Barkhimer and her husband Eric have made 
significant sacrifices during her 9-year naval career. Tracy has spent 
a significant amount of time away from her family to support the vital 
role the U.S. Navy plays in executing our national security strategy. 
Lieutenant Barkhimer is a great credit to the U.S. Navy and to this 
great country she so proudly serves. Recently selected to the highly 
competitive Aviation Engineering Duty Officer Program, she now departs 
Capitol Hill to take on a new challenge at the Naval Air Systems 
Command in Patuxent River, MD as the V-22 Osprey Avionics Systems 
Project Officer. I call upon my colleagues from both sides of the aisle 
to wish her every success as well as fair winds and following seas, 
always.

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