[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 77 (Monday, June 15, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Page S6344]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         TRIBUTE TO MAJOR GENERAL (RETIRED) JAMES C. PENNINGTON

 Mr. CLELAND. Mr. President, I would like to acknowledge a 
great American, a wonderful patriot and fellow Georgian, Major General 
James C. Pennington, United States Army, Retired, and President of the 
National Association for Uniformed Services. General Pennington died 
June 5th at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, where he had a 
speaking engagement addressing the veterans and military health care 
systems.
  General Pennington was born in Rocky Ford, Georgia, and spent most of 
his life soldiering--first in the military and then in a military 
association. Entering the armed forces during World War II, he worked 
his way up through the ranks from private to major general. During his 
distinguished 37-year military career, he always made taking care of 
the troops his top priority. He was very proud to defend this great 
Nation.
  General Pennington's fight for soldiers did not cease with his 
retirement from the military. In fact, it just allowed him to expand 
the effort on behalf of the National Association for Uniformed 
Services. He passionately and tirelessly pursued benefits for veterans 
and the health care promises made to military retirees.
  Shortly after I was elected to the United States Senate, General 
Pennington came to my office to enlist my support on this critical 
health care issue. This past year, I made military health care my 
number one legislative priority. In the National Defense Authorization 
Bill for Fiscal Year 1999, I cosponsored a military health care 
initiative which seeks to improve the quality and accessibility of 
health care for our veterans and military retirees. It is because of 
men like General Pennington that this issue has been brought to the 
forefront of our attention as legislators. All veterans owe a debt of 
gratitude to him.
  General Pennington's life is testimony to the fact that we still have 
American heroes. Let us remember him and continue his crusade in 
fulfilling our commitment to our soldiers.

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