[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 135 (Thursday, October 7, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2065-E2066]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       IN TRIBUTE TO SENIOR MASTER SERGEANT ALBERT M. ROMANO, JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ELTON GALLEGLY

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 7, 1999

  Mr. GALLEGLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to Senior Master 
Sergeant Albert M. Romano, Jr., one of 12 U.S. Air Force Outstanding 
Airmen of the Year.
  ``Buddy'' Romano hails from Oxnard, California, in my district, where 
he starred in varsity football and baseball at Santa Clara High School 
and was ranked 32nd in California for motocross racing.
  He married his high school sweetheart, the former Jennifer Suytar, 
also of Oxnard. The

[[Page E2066]]

couple now have three children, 12-year-old Tyler, 9-year-old Megan, 
and 5-year-old Zachary, who must be very proud of their father for all 
he has achieved.
  The Outstanding Airmen Award program began in 1956 during the Air 
Force Association's national convention as a way to highlight an Air 
Force military manpower crisis at the time. It proved so popular that 
it became an official Air Force award the following year.
  Competition for Airman of the Year is strenuous. Nominations are sent 
from each command, separate operating agency, direct reporting unit, 
Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard to the Air Force Manpower 
Personnel Center. A high-ranking selection board narrows the field, 
then the final selections are validated and approved by the U.S. Air 
Force Chief of Staff.
  The criteria for this honor is ``unique, unusual, or outstanding 
individual involvement and achievement within the preceding 12 
months.'' Selection considerations include: superior general job 
performance; job knowledge and leadership qualities applied to a 
specific Air Force problem or situation; development of new techniques 
or procedures resulting in increased mission effectiveness; noteworthy 
self-improvement through on- or off-duty educational studies, 
participation in professional or cultural societies/associations, or 
development of creative abilities; participation in social, cultural, 
or religious activities in the military and/or civilian community which 
contribute directly or indirectly to community or group welfare, 
morale, or status; other significant achievements on- or off-duty which 
by their nature or results clearly distinguish the Airman from others 
of equal or higher grade; Air Force or civilian awards in recognition 
of personal service or contribution; and demonstrated ability as an 
articulate and positive Air Force spokesperson.
  Buddy Romano must have been an easy selection.
  He joined the Air Force in 1981 and quickly established himself as an 
outstanding airman. In 1983, he was named NCO of the Year. In 1984, he 
earned the Distinguished Graduate Award from the 15th Air Force NCO 
Leadership School at Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota. He 
maintained a 96 percent fully mission capable rating during his first 
year--his unit's highest--as Dedicated Crew Chief at the 388th Fighter 
Wing, Hill Air Force Base, Utah. In 1987, he served in Operation Desert 
Storm. In 1988, he earned the NCO of the Year for the 548th Aircraft 
Generation Squadron, while maintaining a place on the Dean's List for 
Embry Riddle Aeronautical University. In 1992, he earned his degree in 
Aircraft Maintenance from the Community College of the Air Force.
  Somehow, he has free time. Buddy has filled it by coaching or 
umpiring during almost every intramural varsity, high school, or youth 
basketball and baseball season since he became an airman. He has 
volunteered countless hours to the Equal Opportunity and Treatment 
Program, Anglo American sports day, Special Olympics, Arrive Alive 
Program, Toys for Tots Program, Top Three events, and countless other 
Air Force-sponsored events.
  His military decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, with 
two clusters; the Air Force Commendation Medal, with one cluster; the 
Air Force Achievement Medal; the Air Force Good Conduct Medal, with 
five oak leaf clusters; the National Defense Service Medal; the Armed 
Forces Expeditionary Medal; the Southwest Asia Service Medal, the 
Humanitarian Service Medal; and the Kuwait Liberation Medal.
  Mr. Speaker, I had the pleasure of recently meeting with Senior 
Master Sergeant and Jennifer Romano. They serve as a model for military 
couples, dedicating their lives to their family and their country. I 
know my colleagues will join me in saluting Albert M. Romano, Jr., for 
earning the respect and gratitude of his peers, his officers, and his 
country.

                          ____________________