[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 5 (Tuesday, January 29, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E56]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               TRIBUTE TO COLONEL MICHAEL L. WARNER (RET)

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JIM SAXTON

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 29, 2002

  Mr. SAXTON. Mr. Speaker, few Americans dedicate the majority of their 
lives to the people of our country and the residents of their State. 
Even fewer place their own lives in harm's way to protect the values 
and freedoms we, as Americans, hold dear.
  One such person is my friend, Colonel Mike Warner (Ret). Mike has had 
a distinguished career serving our country in the United States Army. 
Mike served in the U.S. Army for 27 years as an officer. During his 
distinguished career as an Active Army officer, Colonel Warner had 
numerous staff command assignments including assignments in Korea, 
Germany, and throughout the United States.
  Colonel Warner is a highly decorated soldier, receiving two Legions 
of Merit, two Bronze Stars, a Purple Heart, three Meritorious Service 
Medals, and the Army Commendation Medal. Additionally, he has received 
campaign medals for service in Vietnam and overseas service ribbons for 
his tours of duty in Europe and Korea.
  For his final assignment, Mike served as Commander of Fort Dix, in 
Burlington County, New Jersey. At Fort Dix, Mike was responsible for 
the 35,000 acre military installation and a $125 million operating 
budget.
  After retiring from Active Duty, Colonel Warner continued to serve 
the people of the State of New Jersey. Governor Christine Todd Whitman 
appointed Colonel Warner as the State's third Deputy Commissioner for 
Veterans Affairs in March of 1994. As Deputy Commissioner, Mike was 
responsible for providing support for New Jersey's 650,000 veterans and 
their families, managing a $55 million budget, the operation of three 
300-bed nursing homes, and the Nation's largest State veterans 
cemetery.
  Mike Warner is also a dedicated citizen, giving his free time to many 
charitable and civic organizations. He is a member of the Alumni 
Associations of Marquette University and the Army War College, the 
Association of the U.S. Army and Retired Officers Association, the 
Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion, the Vietnam Veterans of 
America, and is a lifetime member of the Military Order of the Purple 
Heart and the Disabled American Veterans. Locally, Mike is a member of 
the Burlington County Boy Scouts of America Executive Council, the 
Pemberton Rotary, and serves on the Board of Directors of the USO of 
Philadelphia.
  Our country and communities need dedicated people like Colonel Mike 
Warner. He is a true American Patriot and it is my pleasure to call him 
friend.

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