[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 131 (Tuesday, October 8, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Pages S10111-S10112]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       COLONEL PATRICIA E. BOYLE

 Mr. INOUYE. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize a great 
American and a true military heroine who has honorably served our 
country for 25 years in the Air Force Nurse Corps: Col. Patricia E. 
Boyle. Colonel Boyle began her career as an intern and then staff nurse 
at Wilford Hall Medical Center in San Antonio, TX. She quickly rose 
through the ranks and served at Air Force bases throughout the country, 
including Peterson Air Force Base, AFB CO, Vandenburg AFB, CA, Wright-
Patterson AFB, OH, and Robins AFB, GA. In each assignment, she excelled 
and overcame every challenge, and was rewarded with greater 
responsibilities and opportunities. Colonel Boyle has been recognized 
throughout her career as a leader who could motivate others to give the 
best they had to offer. Her talent for teaching and mentoring 
personnel, as well as her creativity and skill in management were 
instrumental in many of the successes the Air Force Medical Service 
enjoys today. Above all, she is a compassionate nurse who always put 
the welfare of her patients first.
  Colonel Boyle served with distinction as a fellow on my staff from 
1999 to 2000, and in this capacity greatly strengthened the acclaimed 
Department of Defense Tri-Service Nursing Research Program, among other 
highly valuable efforts. In her follow-on assignment as director of 
Congressional

[[Page S10112]]

and Public Affairs in the Office of the Air Force Surgeon General, she 
worked tirelessly behind the scenes in the department of Defense to 
make TRICARE for Life a reality for senior military retirees. The 
Surgeon General and his staff depended daily on her astute judgment and 
seasoned advice to meet the increasingly difficult challenges faced by 
our military departments today as they provide exemplary health care 
around the world in the 21st century. Colonel Boyle has made a 
substantial difference in the lives of our young troops and their 
families everywhere, and has improved the lot of our retired military 
patriots who have sacrificed so much. She always went the extra mile to 
serve her country and her fellow man. Her performance reflects greatly 
on herself, the U.S. Air Force, the Department of Defense, and the 
United States of America. I extend my deepest appreciation on behalf of 
a grateful Nation for her dedicated service. Congratulations, Col. 
Patricia Boyle. I wish you Godspeed.

                          ____________________