[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 99 (Wednesday, July 22, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1383]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  TRIBUTE TO MR. WILLIAM K. TAKAKOSHI

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOHN P. MURTHA

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 22, 1998

  Mr. MURTHA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a dedicated 
public servant as he retires from his position as Special Assistant to 
the Under Secretary of the Army after more than 28 years of dedicated 
service to his country. Mr. William K. Takakoshi is most deserving of 
our tribute. He has consistently demonstrated the outstanding qualities 
expected of our finest public servants. I would like to take a moment 
to highlight Bill's career milestones.
  A native of Rockford, Illinois, Bill is a 1970 graduate of the 
University of Illinois with a B.S. in Industrial Engineering. Upon 
graduation he was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Army Reserve. 
In 1971, Bill earned a Masters Degree in Industrial Engineering and 
Business Administration from Purdue University.
  Bill entered public service in 1970 as an Industrial Engineer at the 
Naval Ammunition Depot at Crane, Indiana. He was responsible for the 
production and industrial engineering for the five main Naval 
Ammunition Depots.
  In 1975, he was assigned as the Resource Branch Head of the Strategic 
Weapons Facility Pacific. In that capacity he was responsible for 
planning, acquisition, and management of all the resources required to 
activate the missile facilities of the first TRIDENT Base.
  In 1981, after a tour at the Joint Cruise Missiles Program Office 
where he was the Deputy Production Manager, he accepted a position with 
the Army. For the next seven years he served as Deputy for Industrial 
Resources and Quality and Production for the Assistant Secretary of the 
Army (Research, Development, and Acquisition). During that time his 
primary focus was oversight of the Army Ammunition and Industrial 
Preparedness programs.
  Because of his vast experience and knowledge of the acquisition 
process, he was selected by the House Armed Services Committee as a 
Legislative Fellow. Bill served on the Acquisition Policy Panel for the 
Procurement Subcommittee for a complete legislative cycle.
  Upon his return to the Department of the Army in 1989 he was made 
Director, Program Review for the Assistant Secretary of the Army 
(Research, Development, and Acquisition) and was selected for the 
Senior Executive Service.
  In 1990, because of his vast experience he was handpicked by the 
Under Secretary of the Army to serve as his Special Assistant. Since 
that time Bill has been the focal point within the Army for finding 
positive solutions and resolving difficult issues that cross varied 
interests and organizations. Bill Takakoshi is truly a ``team player''. 
He is always on top of the issues of the day and has the respect and 
confidence of the OSD and congressional staffs. He is the paramount 
professional, quiet and unassuming but one who always gets the job 
accomplished.
  Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to present the credentials of 
Mr. Takakoshi to the Congress today. It is clear that the Department of 
Defense is losing a great talent. I would like to wish both Bill and 
his wife Gay continued success in all their future endeavors.

                          ____________________