[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 126 (Friday, September 24, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Page S11426]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 TRIBUTE TO BRIGADIER GENERAL TERRY L. PAUL, UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS

  Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I would like to pay a special tribute today 
to Brigadier General Terry L. Paul, the Legislative Assistant to the 
Commandant of the Marine Corps and trusted friend of the United States 
Senate. After almost thirty years of honorable and dedicated service in 
the Corps, Brigadier General Paul will retire from active duty October 
1st, 1999.
  The Members of Congress and their staffs have come to know General 
Paul as a person who possesses a deep and abiding passion for the 
institution which he has served so faithfully--the United States Marine 
Corps. It is difficult to comprehend a Corps absent the ranks of a 
Terry Paul. His absence will be especially felt in the Office of 
Legislative Affairs where he served nine years in the Senate Liaison 
and most recently as the Legislative Assistant to the Commandant. He 
has set the standard by which all other Legislative Assistants will be 
measured.
  The strength of the Marine Corps relationship with the Congress is in 
large measure due to the professional dedication of Brigadier General 
Paul. This relationship has been forged and nurtured over the years by 
his unrelenting resolve to establish a climate of mutual respect and 
understanding. The underpinning for this success was a rapport that was 
built on a credible and straightforward approach for dealing with 
issues, large or small. He possessed an innate ability to appreciate 
the environment in which he worked. It is through this understanding we 
can fully treasure the tenacity of Terry Paul to communicate the 
Commandant's message of ``making Marines and winning battles'' on 
Capitol Hill.
  Brigadier General Paul's imprint will resonate through these hallowed 
halls and unto our Nation long after his departure. Through the 
foresight and oversight of the United States Congress, the Corps will 
have been provided the needed resources that will enable it to confront 
the challenges of the 21st century. Terry Paul was always there to 
foster and develop our knowledge of key resource needs. When all seemed 
lost with the pending cancellation of the V-22 program it was Brigadier 
General Paul that was assigned as ``point-man'' on the Hill--
responsible for building support to resurrect, not merely a dying 
program, but to advocate a concept which would ultimately revolutionize 
warfare in the next century. General Paul ensured Congress was aptly 
informed as to the capabilities, technological advances, concept of 
operations, and funding requirements to bring this program to fruition. 
His vigilance and ability to communicate carried the day. The V-22 
Osprey will enable commanders to accomplish the mission more 
efficiently, with far fewer casualties than otherwise would have been 
the case. Terry fought the hard fight and he should be extremely proud 
that his unrelenting efforts have borne the fruit of his labor.
  General Paul carried the message to the Hill on a plethora of 
programs. Programs that represented innovation, ingenuity, and a 
willingness to adapt to changes on the emerging battlefields which will 
elevate the Marine Corps as the world's premier crisis response force 
in the 21st century. Programs such as the Advanced Assault Amphibious 
Vehicle, the KC-130J, Maritime Pre-positioned Force-Enhancement and LHD 
class ships.
  General Paul is a leader of unquestionable loyalty and unswerving 
standards. His tenure as the Commandant's Legislative Assistant was the 
capstone performance of nearly thirty-year career in the infantry, 
Senate Liaison office, and as a Special Assistant to the Commandant. 
For his efforts the Marine Corps is a better institution today, one 
that has a bright and prosperous future. Terry, we the Members of the 
United States Senate and the 106th Congress want to convey our sincere 
appreciation for all you have done for our Nation. Your legacy will be 
the well-equipped Marines who will continue to provide for our 
country's defense. They will be better equipped, more capable, and 
better able to survive on the modern battlefield due to your dedication 
and selfless sacrifice to duty. You will be sorely missed, but surely 
not forgotten.

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