[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 80 (Thursday, June 22, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Page S5653]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          TRIBUTE TO SERGEANT MAJOR OF THE ARMY ROBERT E. HALL

  Mr. THURMOND. Mr. President. I would like to take this opportunity to 
pay tribute to Sergeant Major of the Army (SMA) Robert E. Hall, who 
will retire today, June 22, 2000. SMA Hall's service to our nation 
spanned more than 32 years, during which he distinguished himself as a 
soldier, leader, mentor, and advisor to the Chief of Staff of the Army.
  A native of Gaffney, South Carolina, SMA Hall enlisted in the U.S. 
Army in February 1968. During his more than three decades of loyal 
service to the nation, he has held and served in every enlisted 
leadership position from squad leader to command sergeant major. He is 
a combat tested leader, serving in Desert Shield/Desert Storm with the 
24th Infantry Division Artillery as its command sergeant major. Before 
becoming the 11th Sergeant Major of the United States Army, he was 
command sergeant major of U.S. Central Command, MacDill Air Force Base, 
Tampa, Florida. He also served as command sergeant major, 1st 
Battalion, 5th Air Defense Artillery, Fort Steward, Georgia; 
Commandant, 24th Infantry Division Noncommissioned Officer Academy, 
Fort Steward, Georgia; the 24th Division Artillery, Saudi Arabia and 
Iraq; the 2nd Infantry Division, Korea; and First U.S. Army, Fort 
Meade, Maryland.
  During SMA Hall's tenure as advisor to the Chief of Staff of the 
Army, he made individual soldiers' issues a priority, focusing on 
improving the quality of life for them and their families. He 
concentrated on providing servicemen and their loved ones with accurate 
and timely information so that they could make educated and informed 
decisions about their future in a transforming Army. His personal 
efforts provided significant assistance and helped to ensure the 
successful repeal of the REDUX retirement system. In addition, he 
helped lay the foundation for pay table reform. This was achieved 
through regular interviews with both internal and external media 
sources. He also testified and visited with congressmen more than 19 
times during his tenure as Sergeant Major of the Army. In doing so, he 
established a reputation, trust, and rapport with Congress as a caring 
leader who conveyed the needs of enlisted soldiers.
  SMA Hall's distinguished 32-year career epitomizes the consummate 
professional soldier. But above all, he is a loving and caring husband 
and father whose service was enhanced by his wife, Carole, and their 
three children, Apra, Rea, and Jason.
  I am certain that my colleagues in the Senate join me in commending 
SMA Hall on his dedicated service to the nation and the United States 
Army, and wish him well in his future endeavors.

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