[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 104 (Wednesday, July 29, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1458]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     TRIBUTE TO COLONEL JOHN KELLY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. FLOYD SPENCE

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 29, 1998

  Mr. SPENCE. Mr. Speaker, it is a pleasure for me to pay tribute today 
to a truly exceptional Marine, and American, Colonel John Kelly, who 
serves as the Marine Corps Liaison Officer to the U.S. House of 
Representatives. Today, John pins on the rank of ``full-bird'' colonel. 
I cannot think of an officer more deserving of this promotion.
  Military promotion boards make their selections based on sustained 
and superior performance, as well as on an officer's ability to lead. 
John has demonstrated throughout his career that he is an outstanding 
leader of Marines. And that is the essence being a Marine!
  A native of Brighton, Massachusetts, John began his military career 
by enlisting in the Marine Corps on September 10, 1970. From the 
beginning, John demonstrated his leadership potential. Only nineteen 
months after enlisting, John was meritoriously promoted to sergeant--a 
feat that is nearly unheard of! Shortly thereafter, John was selected 
for the coveted Marine Enlisted Commissioning Education Program, where 
he obtained his bachelor's degree in just over three years.
  Upon graduation, John was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the 
Marine Corps on November 1, 1975. Throughout his twenty-eight-year 
career, John Kelly has commanded every echelon of infantry unit from 
fire team to battalion. His non-Fleet Marine Force assignments included 
serving as executive officer of the Marine detachments aboard the 
aircraft carriers U.S.S. Forrestal and U.S.S. Independence. During his 
ship-board duty, John acquired his ``sea-legs'' by qualifying as 
''Officer of the Deck Underway,'' a qualification that is difficult to 
achieve and allowed him to conn the ship during flight operations. 
Among his other assignments, John was stationed at the Marine Corps' 
Combat Development Command where he served as instructor at ''The Basic 
School,'' manpower monitor, and director of the Infantry Officers 
Course. John also has earned post-graduate degrees from Georgetown 
University and the National Defense University.
  On June 11, 1995, Colonel Kelly reported for duty at the Marine 
Corps' House Liaison Office and immediately assumed responsibility for 
the direction of the liaison office's activities, which include 
responding to Congressional and constituent inquiries as well as 
planning, coordinating and escorting Members and Congressional Staff on 
domestic and overseas travel. I benefited personally from John's 
professionalism, thoroughness and attention to detail, having had the 
opportunity to travel with him to military installations around the 
world. I know that I speak for all of my colleagues in thanking John 
for his integrity, his dedication to duty and, above all, for his 
friendship. John is a natural leader in the finest tradition of the 
nation and the Marine Corps.
  I would also like to take a moment to recognize John's family. The 
national asks a lot of our service members. And when we ask a lot of 
the men and women in uniform, we also ask a lot of the spouses and 
families that are left behind. During John's career, he and his family 
have made many sacrifices for his nation. Therefore, I would also like 
to thank John's family--his lovely wife, Karen, and their three 
children, John, Robert and Kathleen--for their support to John and for 
their contributions to the Marine Corps.
  Mr. Speaker, I know first hand that Colonel John Kelly is ready to 
meet the challenges and opportunities ahead. John epitomizes what it 
means to devote oneself to serving the nation. I look forward to the 
day when I will call him ``General.'' Semper Fidelis!

                          ____________________