[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 62 (Wednesday, May 15, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E812]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               TRIBUTE TO LT. COLONEL THOMAS FUHRER, USMC

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOHN P. MURTHA

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 15, 2002

  Mr. MURTHA. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I rise today 
to pay special tribute to an outstanding Marine who has dedicated his 
life to the service of our nation.
  Lt. Colonel Thomas Fuhrer has recently completed his Washington 
service and is being assigned to command the Marine Corps Combat 
Service Support Schools Training Command at Camp Lejeune, North 
Carolina.
  Lt. Colonel Fuhrer has served on the personal legislative staff of 
the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs for the past two years. During that 
time, he has worked closely with senior military, civilian, and 
Congressional Members and staff in this critical high visibility 
environment.
  His performance has been singularly impressive. He has advised the 
Chairman, Vice, and senior officers from the Joint Staff as well as 
Commanders in Chief in a myriad of complex and sensitive issue 
briefings in addition to their confirmation and annual posture 
hearings.
  Hailing from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Lt. Colonel Fuhrer began his 
career as a enlisted Marine, graduating from the venerable Parris 
Island in 1980. He entered Clarion University as a drilling reservist 
and upon graduation was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Marine 
Corps in 1984.
  During Lt. Colonel Fuhrer's career as a Marine, he has excelled at 
every aspect of operations concentrating on the fiscal, disbursing, 
travel and logistics support of our active duty and forward deployed 
Marine Corps. His leadership, management, problem-solving and team-
building skills have been recognized in his promotion, personal awards, 
and assignment to the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey. He 
received his Master's Degree in Financial Management in 1986.
  Following a successful tour in the Headquarters of the Marine Corps 
as a budget analyst, he was selected for the prestigious Legislative 
Fellow Program through Brookings Institution. This program led him to 
the Office of Congressman John Murtha, where his tireless service was 
focused on Defense and Appropriations issues.
  Lt. Colonel Fuhrer leaves his present assignment as the Deputy 
Legislative Assistant for Marine Corps matters to the Chairman of the 
Joint Chiefs of Staff where he served as liaison between the nation's 
most senior military officer and the United States Congress. He also 
leaves the close professional relationship he cultivated specifically 
with Members and their staff on the House Appropriations Committee 
subcommittee on Defense.
  Throughout a career of distinguished service, he has made innumerable 
contributions to both the military and our nation. As Lt. Colonel 
Fuhrer departs to tackle new challenges of Command at Camp Lejeune, we 
will certainly miss him and wish continued success for both him and his 
family.

                          ____________________