[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 109 (Tuesday, July 31, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Page S8459]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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            TRIBUTE TO BRIGADIER GENERAL THOMAS F. GIOCONDA

 Mr. DOMENICI. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to a 
truly great American, Brigadier General Thomas F. Gioconda, USAF. 
General Gioconda has served this Nation with distinction for 31 years.
  A native of Philadelphia, PA, General Gioconda is a graduate of St. 
Joseph's University, Philadelphia, PA, class of 1970. He has earned two 
masters degrees, one in School Administration from Seton Hall 
University, and another in Business Administration from the University 
of Montana. His military career began in 1970 with an assignment to 
Malstrom AFB, MT, where he served as a missile launch officer. After 4 
years as a wing missile operations crew instructor, he served as an 
AFROTC instructor at his alma mater for two years, followed by another 
two years at New Jersey Institute of Technology. He then served as a 
missile operations instructor and section chief at the 4315th Combat 
Crew Training Squadron, Vandenberg AFB, CA.
  General Gioconda has also served as the principal liaison officer to 
Congress for both General Colin Powell (Ret) and General John 
Shalikashvili (Ret) during momentous times in our Nation's history--the 
end of the Cold War, Operations Desert Storm, Provide Promise, Provide 
Hope, Provide Comfort, Southern Watch, Deny Flight, and Restore 
Democracy, and Joint Endeavor, as well as countless other military 
operations and deployments.
  General Gioconda came to Department of Energy Defense Programs in 
August 1997 to serve as the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for 
Military Application (DP-2). During his 4-year tenure, General Gioconda 
served as the Acting Assistant Secretary for Defense Programs and later 
as the Acting Deputy Administrator for Defense Programs, for almost as 
long as he has served in the DP-2 position. Under this leadership, the 
Stockpile Stewardship Program, one of the country's most challenging 
scientific and engineering programs is delivering results of the 
American people, results that make this a safer country for us all. His 
steady hand, clear vision, decency, candor, and sense of humor has also 
helped the program overcome profound challenges over the last several 
years.
  At the conclusion of his first tour as Acting Deputy Administrator, 
his accomplishments were justly rewarded with the presentation of the 
Department of Energy's highest honor, the Secretary's Gold Medal. 
General Gioconda has made great personal professional sacrifices to 
ensure the success of the Stockpile Stewardship Program and the Nation 
owes him a depth of gratitude for this service. I know that the men and 
women of the National Nuclear Security Administration will sorely miss 
his leadership, commitment to excellence, and untiring efforts to look 
out for their welfare.
  In addition to his Department of Energy award, General Gioconda has 
been awarded the Distinguished Service Medal, the Defense Superior 
Service Medal (with Oak Leaf Cluster), the Defense Meritorious Service 
Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal (four Oak Leaf Clusters), three 
Air Force Commendation Medals, the Air Force Achievement Medal, the 
Combat Readiness Medal, the Outstanding Voluntary Service Medal, and 
the Command Missile Badge. We wish Tom, his wife Anita, and their three 
sons, Tom, Jr., Anthony, and Timothy, the very best.
  It is a great honor and personal privilege for me to present his 
credentials and this tribute to General Thomas F. Gioconda before the 
Congress today. I have enjoyed working with the General over the years 
and I will miss his wise counsel. General Gioconda's extraordinary 
commitment has helped sustain our Nation's security during his tenure 
and beyond and reflects great credit upon himself, the Departments of 
the Air Force and Energy, and the United States of America. His actions 
reflect the highest professional standards of the Air Force. He is an 
officer of the highest honor, integrity, and purpose. Please join me in 
wishing this patriotic American every success in the years 
ahead.

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