[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 78 (Thursday, May 27, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1123-E1124]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             TRIBUTE TO LIEUTENANT GENERAL LESTER L. LYLES

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BARBARA LEE

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 27, 1999

  Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Lieutenant 
General Lester L. Lyles, United States Air Force, on the occasion of 
his promotion to General. On May 27, 1999, LTG Lyles will become only 
the 2nd African American four star commander in the United States Air 
Force currently on active duty.
  LTG Lyles has fought tirelessly and contributed greatly to the 
defense of our nation and to equal opportunity for other soldiers of 
color.
  He currently is serving as the director of the Ballistic Missile 
Defense Organization, Department of Defense at the Pentagon. The 
organization is presidentially chartered and mandated by Congress to 
acquire highly effective ballistic missile defense systems for forward-
deployed and expeditionary elements of the U.S. Armed Forces.
  LTG Lyles entered the Air Force in 1968 as a distinguished graduate 
of the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps program. He served in a 
variety of both tactical and staff positions throughout his illustrious 
career. In 1992, LTG Lyles became the vice-commander of Ogden Air 
Logistics Center, Hill Air Force Base. He served as commander of the 
center from 1993-1994, then was assigned to command the Headquarters 
Space and Missile Systems Center, Los Angeles Air Force Base. He served 
in this capacity until August 1996 when he assumed his current 
position.

[[Page E1124]]

  LTG Lyles is a highly decorated soldier. He has received the 
department's Distinguished Service Medal, the Defense Superior Service 
Medal, the Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster, the Meritorious 
Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters, and a myriad of other awards.
  LTG Lyles has an impressive educational background. He is a graduate 
of prestigious senior service schools including the Armed Forces Staff 
College, the National War College, and the Defense Systems Management 
College. He also holds a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical 
engineering from Howard University, Washington, DC, and a Master of 
Science degree in mechanical and nuclear engineering from the Air Force 
Institute of Technology, at New Mexico State University, Las Cruces.
  LGT Lyles serves proudly as a member of the United States Armed 
Forces. He is a distinguished soldier whose accomplishments reflect 
great credit upon himself, the United States Air Force, and the United 
States of America.
  On this occasion, Mr. Speaker, I am honored to join his family, 
friends, and colleagues as we recognize LTG Lester Lyles on his 
promotion to four star General in the United States Air Force.

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