[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 51 (Tuesday, April 30, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E668-E669]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  TRIBUTE TO CHAPLAIN JAMES E. WALKER

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JAMES E. CLYBURN

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 30, 2002

  Mr. CLYBURN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a man of 
great principle and faith, U.S. Army Chaplain James E. Walker of 
Columbia, South Carolina. This is a man whose path I crossed 30 years 
ago to the month. He was a bright, young student at C.A. Johnson High 
School in Columbia then, and was selected to introduce me as the 
speaker of their Honors and Awards Day, when I was in Governor John 
West's office. The event was a memorable one for me, but I had no idea 
that my comments at the time would touch the soul of young James 
Walker. To this day, he still has the program from the event and 
remembers my urging to set goals and make plans to achieve them. These 
sentiments I have expressed countless times over the years when 
visiting school groups. Yet this is one of few opportunities I have had 
to join in celebrating with a young man who took my words to heart and 
achieved amazing things as an adult.
  On Thursday, May 2, 2002, Chaplain Walker receives the promotion to 
Army Colonel at the U.S. Army Chaplain Center and School at Fort 
Jackson in Columbia, South Carolina. On that day his story will come 
full circle to the place where it began. In his hometown, Chaplain 
Walker will officially achieve this well-deserved ranking as a 
reflection of his hard work and dedication.
  On September 11, 2001, 1 was on Capitol Hill watching the smoke rise 
from the Pentagon in disbelief. However, Chaplain Walker had no time 
that day to stop and watch the tragedies unfold before his eyes. He, 
too, was in the Washington area. He was at Ground Zero--the Pentagon--
ministering to those who were wounded and in shock. In the subsequent 
weeks, Chaplain Walker served tirelessly at the Pentagon's makeshift 
triage station for three weeks to ``care for the wounded, minister to 
the living and honor the dead.'' For this service, our nation owes him 
a debt of gratitude.
  This tremendous strength in the face of adversity is a hallmark of 
Chaplain Walker's career. He is one of 138 African-American Army 
Chaplains among the 2,000 Chaplains serving the Army worldwide. His 
military service has taken him to Desert Storm where he ministered to 
troops in Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Kuwait. For his skilled pastoral work 
in trying times, he was awarded the Saudi-Kuwait Liberation Medal. 
Chaplain Walker has received numerous other commendations including the 
Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army 
Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Southeast Asia 
Service Medal, and the Army Service Ribbon.
  This outstanding service record was built on the strong foundation he 
received growing up in Columbia. He graduated C.A. Johnson High School 
and earned a Bachelor of Science from my alma mater, South Carolina 
State College. He served seven years in the Army as a Signal Officer 
before becoming a chaplain. He received his Master of Divinity and

[[Page E669]]

Doctor of Ministry from Andover Newton Theological School in Newton 
Center, Massachusetts. His thirst for knowledge also led him to attain 
a Master of Business Administration from Western New England College 
and Master of Arts degrees from Boston College both in Massachusetts.
  Mr. Speaker, although my duties here in Washington prevent me from 
sharing this memorable day with in person, I ask that you and my 
colleagues join me in congratulating Chaplain James E. Walker for his 
outstanding service and well-deserved promotion. He is a fine example 
of what can be achieved in life with a strong desire to learn and a 
willingness to serve others. It is fitting that he receives this 
promotion while in his hometown. I wish him good luck Godspeed as he 
returns to service at the Office of the Chief of Chaplains in 
Arlington, Virginia.

                          ____________________