[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 55 (Monday, May 8, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E666]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     RECOGNIZING THE LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENTS OF DR. ROBERT C. CORLEY

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. WILLIAM M. THOMAS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, May 8, 2000

  Mr. THOMAS. Mr. Speaker, I hope the House will join me in recognizing 
and applauding the achievements of Dr. Robert C. Corley of the Air 
Force Research Laboratory as he prepares to retire June 2nd as Senior 
Scientist for rocket propulsion in the Propulsion Directorate, Air 
Force Research Laboratory at Edwards Air Force Base. As we assess the 
role the Air Force has played in this nation's security during the last 
40 years, it is clear that Bob Corley's contributions to defense 
technologies have been significant.
  Dr. Corley is recognized as one of the world's foremost experts on 
missile propulsion technologies. His research skills helped produce the 
extremely dependable solid fuel propellants that are used in almost all 
American tactical and ballistic weapons systems. His work also promoted 
our space program through booster systems development. The 
dependability of those systems is in large measure the result of his 
efforts.
  In addition to research, Bob Corley has managed propulsion research 
projects. He coordinated international research projects involving 
university and government researchers across the globe. More recently, 
he has been the founder of the current Integrated High Payoff Rocket 
Propulsion Technology (IHPRPT) program. The latter program is a joint 
project coordinating efforts by the Department of Defense, NASA and 
private industry to develop new, dependable propulsion technologies for 
the 21st Century. They have already begun producing better launch 
systems for military and civilian programs, and the coordination of 
government and private efforts under the structure Dr. Corley 
established will continue to be of benefit well into this century.
  From the time he arrived at Edwards Air Force Base in 1958 as a 
Second Lieutenant in the Air Force right through his retirement as one 
of the most senior research managers in federal service, Bob Corley has 
worked on tough projects vital to this nation's security and scientific 
advancement. The executive branch recognizes his contribution. He has 
been named as a recipient of the Outstanding Civilian Career Service 
Award. I join his colleagues in recognizing the value of his work and 
wish him a well deserved retirement.

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