[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 119 (Tuesday, September 14, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1869-E1870]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


              TRIBUTE TO LIEUTENANT GENERAL JAMES E. MOORE

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. SAM FARR

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 14, 1999

  Mr. FARR of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to note the passing 
of Lieutenant General James E. Moore on January 30, 1999. General Moore 
served bravely in battle, and served the community equally well in 
overseeing the closure of Fort Ord Army base.
  General Moore was born into the military, at Fort Thomas Kentucky on 
June 28, 1931. He grew up both in the United States, much of those 
years near Salinas California, and in China. After graduation from West 
Point, he earned his master's degree in education from Columbia 
University. He also graduated from the Air Command and Staff College 
and the Army War College. He commanded a combat battalion in the 25th 
Infantry Division in the Central Highlands of Vietnam in 1966 and 1967. 
His leadership skills were recognized when, in 1985, General Moore was 
assigned the command of the combined field army in Korea, the largest 
field army in the free world. His honors include the Distinguished 
Service Medal, Silver Star, Air Medal, Combat Infantryman's Badages, 
Legion of Merit with an Oak Leaf Cluster, Meritorious Service Medal, 
Army Commendation Medal, Senior Parachutist's Badge and Ranger tab. 
General Moore was a man of modesty and compassion, putting the troops 
ahead of himself, even letting the soldiers eat first when he joined 
them in the mess hall. He has been described by colleagues as a gifted, 
natural leader.
  When General Moore retired in 1989, he and Joan, his wife, returned 
to the Fort Ord area. Within a few months, the Army announced base 
closure plans, with Fort Ord one of the first designated for 
conversion. Then-Congressman Leon Panetta, aware of General Moore's 
accomplishments and his willingness to be of service to the community, 
urged him to establish a task force that would undertake the monumental 
job of coordinating federal, state and county agencies with the 12 
cities in the area and with the military. There were no precedents for 
the undertaking. Working on a volunteer basis, General Moore spent over 
two years overseeing comprehensive studies, discussions and 
negotiations, finally producing a 600-page document that has become the 
blueprint for military conversion and reuse planning.
  Although he continued to participate peripherally in the continuing 
reuse planning, General Moore again went into retirement, looking 
forward to reading, traveling, photography and his hobby of building 
model sailing ships. The appreciative community honored his 
contributions with a dinner at the Monterey Conference center.
  Lieutenant General James E. Moore is survived by his loving wife, 
Joan; his three daughters, Elizabeth, Susan and Mary; and his four 
sons, James Moore IV, Robert, Michael, and Matthew; a step-mother 
Annie; and his sister Patricia, and eleven grandchildren. He was a born 
leader, a mentor, a man who generously gave and received great respect. 
he undertook the most challenging tasks with a positive attitude, so it 
is no wonder that his achievements were many. Everyone who had

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the privilege to know him, and to work alongside him, was influenced by 
his greatness. He will be sorely missed.

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