[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 72 (Friday, June 5, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1045]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               HONORING LIEUTENANT COLONEL GARY C. POWELL

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. CHARLES W. STENHOLM

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, June 5, 1998

  Mr. STENHOLM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Lieutenant 
Colonel Gary C. Powell upon his retirement from the United States Army 
after serving our great nation for over 20 exemplary years. For the 
past three years Lieutenant Colonel Powell has served as the 
Congressional Affairs Contact Officer for the Deputy Chief of Staff for 
Personnel, Headquarters Department of the Army. In this position he has 
established a solid reputation among his peers and superiors alike. He 
serves as the principal advisor to the Deputy Chief of Staff for 
Personnel on all matters relating to congressional activities.
  Lieutenant Colonel Powell was born in Rotan, Texas on September 25, 
1953. Upon completion of the Reserve Officers' Training Corps 
curriculum and the educational course of study at Hardin Simmons 
University in 1977, he was commissioned a second lieutenant of Infantry 
and awarded a BS degree in Social Work. He also holds a Master of Arts 
degree in Human Resource Development from Webster University. His 
military education includes completion of the Infantry Officer Basic 
and Advanced Courses, the Combined Arms Staff Course, and the United 
States Army Command and General Staff College.
  His initial assignment was at Fort Campbell, Kentucky with the 101st 
Airborne Division. There he served as a rifle platoon leader, anti-tank 
platoon leader, and company executive officer, 1st Battalion, 503d 
Infantry, 3d Brigade, 101st Airborne Division. In January 1980, he was 
assigned to the United States Army Ranger Department as a Ranger 
Instructor in the Florida Ranger Camp. He attended the Infantry Officer 
Advance Course in October 1982. After graduating in 1983, he was 
assigned as a Test Officer with the United States Airborne and Special 
Operations Test Board at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. In November 1984 
he was assigned as an assistant operations officer with 3d Brigade, 82d 
Airborne Division. In May 1985 he assumed command of A Company, 1st 
Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, and again assuming 
command in June 1986 of Headquarters Company, 505th Parachute Infantry 
Regiment, 82d Airborne Division. In June 1987 he was assigned as a 
combat arms assignment officer in the Office of the Deputy Chief of 
Staff for Personnel, XVIII Airborne Corps. He served in this capacity 
until his selection and assignment in July 1988 as the commander of the 
Joint Security Force Company, United Nations Command Security Force, 
Panmunjom, and Republic of Korea. After completion of his command, he 
was assigned as an operations officer in the Office of the Deputy Chief 
of Staff for Plans and Operations, III Corps and Fort Hood, Texas. He 
left Fort Hood in June 1991 to attend the Command and General Staff 
College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. After graduating in 1992, he was 
assigned as the Operations Officer for the 2d Battalion, 505th 
Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82d Airborne Division, at Fort Bragg, 
North Carolina. Following his tour, he was selected to become the 
Deputy Chief of Staff for Force Integration for the 82d Airborne 
Division. In June 1994, he was assigned to Headquarters, Department of 
the Army, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel, in 
Washington, DC. He served as a Personnel Systems Staff Officer until 
his selection in October 1995 to become the Deputy Chief of Staff for 
Personnel, Congressional Affairs Contact Officer.
  Lieutenant Colonel Powell's military decorations include the 
Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters, the Army 
Commendation Medal with six oak leaf clusters, the Army Achievement 
Medal, the Army Superior Unit Award, the National Defense Service 
Medal, the Armed Forces Reserve Medal, the Expert Infantryman Badge, 
the Master Parachutist Badge, the Ranger Tab, the Air Assault Badge, 
the Australian Parachute Badge, and the Army Staff Identification 
Badge. He has served with great distinction and has earned our respect 
and gratitude for his many years of unselfish service to our nation's 
defense.
  It is with great pride that I congratulate Gary upon his retirement 
and wish he and his wife, Tonie, all the best as they move on to face 
new challenges and rewards in the next exciting chapter of their lives.

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