[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 78 (Tuesday, June 20, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5455-S5456]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          TRIBUTE TO LIEUTENANT COLONEL DAVID ARMAND DeKEYSER

 Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. President. It is with great pleasure that I 
rise today to pay tribute to Lieutenant Colonel David A. DeKeyser for 
his dedicated military service to our country.
  LTC DeKeyser retired on June 5, 2000 from the United States Army 
Reserve after serving 28 distinguished years as an officer in the 
Transportation Corps. I have known him well for many years and since I 
joined the Senate in 1997, he has served as my Chief of Staff. I came 
to know LTC DeKeyser personally during the 1970's and 1980's when we 
were both assigned to the 1184th Transportation Terminal Unit (TTU) in 
Mobile, Alabama. For 8 years we trained at monthly drills and annual 
training. We have worked with one another since that time in a series 
of increasingly important and difficult assignments.
  LTC DeKeyser was born March 21, 1950 in Mobile, Alabama. He was 
commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in 1972 from Auburn University. 
Throughout his career--with duty assignments in Europe, the United 
States, the Middle East during Operation Desert

[[Page S5456]]

Storm, and most recently with duty at the United States Transportation 
Command--he consistently distinguished himself. During times of peace 
and war, in both command and staff positions, he has achieved 
excellence. He was activated with the 1184th TTU for duty during the 
Gulf War and spent 6 months away from his family in Kuwait. LTC 
DeKeyser was decorated with the Joint Service Commendation Medal, and 
the Southwest Asia Service Medal. His other notable military awards 
include the Legion of Merit, the Defense Meritorious Medal, and two 
awards of the Meritorious Service Medal.
  LTC DeKeyser's professionalism and leadership as a military officer 
earned him the respect and admiration of his soldiers, fellow officers, 
and members of the U.S. Congress. No officer was better liked or 
respected--from the newest private to the commanding officer--than LTC 
DeKeyser. He is known for his integrity, compassion, humor, and ability 
to inspire men and women from all walks of life. These are the 
qualities of a soldier who deserves the thanks of a grateful nation for 
a job well done. In addition, he made notable contributions in his 
community as a member of various civic organizations to include the 
Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council, the Alabama Coastal 
Resources Advisory Council, the Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce, the 
Alabama-Mississippi Sea Grant Consortium Advisory Committee, Goodwill 
Industries Board of Directors, the American Heart Association Board of 
Directors, the Mobile Jaycees, and the Reserve Officers Association.
  Armand has served his country for 28 years in the Army but he has 
also provided magnificent services to the Nation in a number of other 
crucial government assignments.
  I know about these because we are partners. In the 1980's, I asked 
him to leave his business career to serve as a law enforcement 
coordinator for the office of the United States Attorney. As was 
typical of Armand's nature he eagerly looked to expand our work and we 
decided to initiate a ``Weed and Seed'' program in an attempt to 
revitalize the Martin Luther King area of Mobile.
  This historic neighborhood had fallen victim to decay, crime and 
drugs. Working with our other law enforcement coordinator, Eric Day, 
Armand gave himself to the project with his typical enthusiasm. Mr. 
President. I can say that the program was a great success. I once told 
Armand, when they put you in the grave, your work to make this 
neighborhood a much better place may be your greatest accomplishment.
  Later in 1994, I was elected Attorney General of Alabama and I asked 
him to leave his beloved Mobile to come to Montgomery to serve as my 
Administrative Officer.
  When we took office, we faced a huge financial problem as a result of 
terrible financial management. Armand responded with great 
effectiveness--closing several off-site offices, disposing of one-half 
of the office automobiles, reducing staff, and helping us reorganize. 
Personnel was reduced by one-third and legal work improved
  Then, when I was elected to the U.S. Senate, I asked him to serve as 
my Chief of Staff. Once again, he agreed. He has done a magnificent job 
and there can be no doubt that his military service has played a key 
role in helping our office achieve the high level of effectiveness that 
we currently enjoy.
  Armand is a soldier's soldier. He has given his best to the Army. It 
has caused him to be away from home and family and called for personal 
sacrifice. But, for 28 years, he has answered the call and served with 
great distinction.
  I salute Armand for his faithfulness to the nation, and wish him, his 
wonderful wife Beverly, and sons David and Phillip many wonderful years 
of happiness and good health in his retirement.

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