[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 132 (Thursday, October 4, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1796]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    TRIBUTE TO COLONEL DENNIS LEWIS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. IKE SKELTON

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 4, 2001

  Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, let me take this opportunity to share a few 
words regarding the upcoming retirement of Colonel Dennis Richard 
Lewis, Program Branch Chief for the Army's Congressional Legislative 
Liaison. In the very near future, Colonel Lewis will retire after 27 
years in the Army. He has distinguished himself, the Army and our 
nation with dedicated service.
  Colonel Lewis began his career in the military in 1974, after 
graduating from the United States Military Academy. At West Point he 
excelled in academics, sports and became Airborne qualified as a cadet. 
Colonel Lewis later attended Purdue University, receiving a masters 
degree in Industrial Relations. His professional military development 
includes the Army Field Artillery Advanced Course, the Command and 
General Staff College and the Army War College. In addition to his 
academic achievements, Colonel Lewis became Air Assault qualified and 
became an Airborne Jump Master with the 82nd Airborne Division.
  During the Cold War, Colonel Lewis served in numerous field artillery 
assignments including Nuclear Weapons Officer, Battery Executive 
Officer, Battery Commander and Assistant Operations Office in Germany, 
Turkey and Southwest Asia. With this experience, Colonel Lewis returned 
to the United States Military Academy as a Tactical Officer.
  Colonel Lewis' next assignments included some of the Army's most 
challenging. As a field artillery Operations officer, Colonel Lewis 
deployed to Saudi Arabia during Desert Shield and Desert Storm. Upon 
return, Colonel Lewis was selected to command a field artillery 
battalion in the 82nd Airborne Division. After completing his Battalion 
Command, Colonel Lewis was assigned to the Office of the Secretary of 
Defense and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Assignments at 
this post included coordinating military response and support to the 
crash of TWA Flight 800, the downing of two U.S. civilian aircraft over 
Cuba, the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta and the Cuban and Haitian 
migrants operations in the Carribean.
  Colonel Lewis became a field artillery Brigade Commander in the 18th 
Airborne Corps at Fort Bragg, NC and then served as Program Branch 
Chief for the Army's Congressional Legislative Liaison. In this 
position, Colonel Lewis effectively articulated the Army's goals, 
policies and programs to key members of Congress while serving as an 
advisor to the Secretary of the Army and the Army Chief of Staff.
  Mr. Speaker, Colonel Lewis has had an impressive career in the 
military. As he prepares for this next stage in his life, I am certain 
that my colleagues will join me in wishing Colonel Lewis all the best. 
We thank he for his 27 years of service to the United States of 
America.

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