[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 157 (Tuesday, November 9, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Page S14434]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     TRIBUTE TO MAJOR CLINT CROSIER

  Mr. SMITH of New Hampshire. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize 
Major Clinton E. Crosier, an Air Force Fellow on my staff, and commend 
his superior performance throughout this past year as a key member of 
my national security team.
  Major Crosier has been on active duty since 1988. During his 11-year 
career he has served as an Executive Office and Operations Management 
Officer, during which time he deployed to Saudi Arabia during 
Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. He has served as a Satellite 
Operations Flight Commander, overseeing the operations of part of the 
Air Force's multibillion dollar constellation of military 
communications satellites; and also as a Missile Operations Crew 
Commander and Flight Commander, supervising the training and 
certification of over 200 of the nuclear launch officers serving as the 
backbone of America's nuclear deterrent.
  During his career, his outstanding performance and professionalism 
has been recognized by his selection as the 90th Missile Wing's Staff 
Officer of the Year; 28th Air Division's Company Grade Officer of the 
Year and Lance P. Sijan Leadership Award Winner; three-time selection 
as unit Company Grade Officer of the Year; Unit Evaluator of the Year; 
and Unit Flight Commander of the Year. Major Crosier is also a 
Distinguished Graduate of the Air Force's Operations Management Officer 
school and Squadron Officer School, and graduated first in his class 
during satellite operations training and missile operations training.
  Upon arrival at the Pentagon just over a year ago, Major Crosier was 
tasked with building the Air Force's first ever Air Command and Staff 
College program for Congressional staff. This program, known as ACSC, 
is a 44-week graduate level program designed to provide mid-career 
officers with an in-depth understanding of the principles and 
application of air and space power. This was the first time in history 
this program had been offered to Congressional staff. In this capacity, 
Major Crosier was directly responsible for the graduation of 18 staff 
members from both the House and Senate in a ceremony last month over 
which the Secretary of the Air Force presided. During this ceremony, 
Secretary Peters heralded the Capitol Hill ACSC seminar Major Crosier 
built as a ``very important tool to cement the important partnership 
between the Air Force and the Congress . . . that will serve 
indefinitely as a bridge between our two great institutions.'' 
Additionally, Secretary Peters praised Major Crosier personally by 
describing his effort as an ``astronomical benefit'' to the Air Force.
  Most recently, Major Crosier was one of only 10 officers in the 
entire Air Force selected for the prestigious Legislative Fellowship 
program, through which he came to work as a member of my personal 
staff. The Air Force's Legislative Fellowship program is designed to 
identify the Air Force's highest caliber performers through an 
extremely competitive selection process. These individuals are then 
provided an in-depth education in the legislative processes of Congress 
through a one-year assignment in a Member's office, to prepare them for 
future senior leadership positions in the Air Force. Throughout the 
past year, he has been an invaluable resource to me, and a credit to 
the United States Air Force.
  Due to his vast experience in space and missile operations, Clint was 
able to provide me with expert assistance in my capacity as Chairman of 
the Strategic Force Subcommittee on Armed Services, providing technical 
expertise on a myriad of advanced space operations and missile defense 
programs. He quickly became an expert on dozens of programs critical to 
national security. Major Crosier also was responsible for performing 
topical research and preparing me for dozens of Armed Services 
Committee hearings, and provided a vital role on a number of wide 
ranging issues from the Department of Defense Authorization and 
Appropriations Bills to the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty and the 
Vieques Weapons Range.
  Major Crosier has been an outstanding addition to my staff, and has 
served with the highest degree of integrity and distinction. His 
performance has earned my highest praise, and he has distinguished 
himself as one of the top military officers I have had the great 
privilege to know during 16 years in Congress. Major Crosier has 
demonstrated himself to be one of the Air Force's brightest future 
senior leaders. As Major Crosier departs the Senate to serve on the 
personal staff of the Secretary of the Air Force, I extend my sincerest 
appreciation for his valuable and professional service. I will not only 
miss Clint's knowledge and efficiency, I will also miss his enthusiasm. 
Clint is an honorable and dedicated individual. I wish he, his wife 
Shelle, and their children, all the best in future endeavors.

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