[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 29 (Tuesday, March 17, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E387-E388]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                     IN HONOR OF CHARLES R. JACKSON

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. GERALD B.H. SOLOMON

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 17, 1998

  Mr. SOLOMON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to note for my colleagues the 
retirement of the President of the Non Commissioned Officers 
Association of the USA, Force Master Chief Petty Officer Charles R. 
Jackson US Navy, Retired. On March 30, he will end more than 45 years 
of public service which began in the Ohio National Guard, included more 
than 25 years in the United States Navy and culminated in nearly 19 
years of service to the military and veterans community as a 
representative of the Non Commissioned Officers Association.
  Chuck's Navy career began with his enlistment in 1955 and his 
assignment and training as an Aviation photographers Mate. Rather

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than setting into a career in technical skills, Chuck continually 
sought leadership roles. His talents were recognized and rewarded first 
with an assignment as the head of the photo section in which he served 
and later through progressively more responsible roles, including Navy 
Career Counselor. During his long and distinguished Navy years, he 
served as an independent duty recruiter, Chief Master at Arms and 
Command Master Chief for two aircraft carriers, as well as Area and 
Zone Supervisor for recruiting in Florida and offshore in the 
Caribbean. Ultimately, he was appointed as Force Master Chief for Navy 
Recruiting Command, the senior enlisted recruiter in the US Navy and 
one of a handful of Force Master Chief Petty Officers.
  Chuck's Navy service carried him from the United States to the 
Mediterranean, to South Africa and Vietnam, the South Pacific and the 
Far East, indeed, all around the world. His service was rewarded with, 
among other awards, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Navy 
Commendation Medal, the Navy Achievement Medal, the Vietnam Service 
Medal, the Force Master Chief Petty Officer and Navy Recruiting Command 
Badges.
  Upon leaving the Navy in 1979, Chuck joined the staff of the Non 
Commissioned Officers Association. Fourteen months later, he 
accomplished his first major goal when the Administrator of Veterans 
Affairs granted NCOA recognition as an Accredited National Service 
Organization. Chuck recruited and trained the first NCOA national 
service officers and expanded the force to more than 300 accredited 
service officers nationally.
  Soon thereafter, he was elected to the Board of Directors, where he 
served first as Secretary, and then as Chairman of the Board of 
Directors, Executive Vice President and President of the Association.
  In 1984, he became the head of NCOA's Washington Office. During his 
tenure in this position, the association received its Federal Charter 
from Congress as a Veterans Organization. The association also 
accomplished many longtime legislative goals, including parity in 
special pays and survivor benefits for members of the armed forces, 
separation pay for enlisted members, Permanent enactment of the 
Montgomery G.I. Bill, improved VA housing benefits, and special VA 
benefits for reservists.
  After becoming president of the association, Chuck set about 
modernizing NCOA and protecting its future. He upgraded equipment 
throughout NCOA offices here and abroad. He created new business 
practices for the association, modernized our partnership relations and 
created many new opportunities for the association and its members. 
Among the most notable are the products and service discounts awarded 
to NCOA members from Federal Express, MNBA Bankcard, AT&T, and many 
others.
  Chuck was also instrumental in launching the NCOA National Defense 
Foundation, which has donated more than $5 million in cash and services 
to the Department of Veterans Affairs since 1990.
  Chuck Jackson has brought a new strength and credibility to the Non 
Commissioned Officers Association. His service is appreciated and will 
be missed. Please join me in wishing him a long and pleasurable 
retirement with his wife Sylvia, daughters, Debbie and Dianne, and 
their grand children.

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