[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 138 (Monday, October 21, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1947]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  TRIBUTE TO BRIGADIER GENERAL JAMES E. BICKFORD, U.S. ARMY (RETIRED)

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. HAROLD ROGERS

                              of kentucky

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, October 21, 2002

  Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a 
military veteran, dedicated public servant, and all around great 
Kentuckian, Brigadier General James E. Bickford, U.S. Army (Retired). I 
want to express my deepest gratitude for his many contributions to the 
people of our state and this great nation.
  General Bickford is a highly decorated military veteran who has spent 
most of his life serving our country. Commissioned as a second 
lieutenant in the U.S. Army as a young man, his duties took him all 
over the world, including Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Africa. 
Throughout his military career, General Bickford received a host of 
service awards and decorations, including the Defense Distinguished 
Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, and the Bronze Star with Oak Leaf 
Cluster. He was the man in charge of logistics for the Persian Gulf War 
and I had the pleasure of attending the ceremony in Washington, DC this 
spring as he was inducted into the Defense Logistics Agency Hall of 
Fame.
  In addition to his reputation as a strong and effective military 
leader, General Bickford is widely known for his compassion and 
commitment to helping others. Born in West Virginia and raised in the 
hills of Harlan County, Kentucky, he is especially interested in the 
well being and prosperity of Appalachia. Upon completion of his 
military service, he found his heart calling him back to Kentucky. He 
was appointed Secretary of the Kentucky Natural Resources and 
Environmental Protection Cabinet in December of 1995, and has worked 
tirelessly ever since to protect and enhance the natural resources of 
the Bluegrass State. Let me publicly state for the Record that we are 
absolutely delighted that General Bickford and his lovely wife, 
Shirley, decided to come back home.
  It is through his service to Kentucky that I have had the great 
fortune of getting to know General Bickford. Our paths first crossed in 
1997, when we were both invited to speak to a group in Louisville, 
Kentucky. Although we had never met, our speeches were stunningly 
similar and our goal was the same--to tackle the daunting task of 
cleaning up Southern and Eastern Kentucky.
  As natives of the 5th Congressional District, we both knew that the 
environmental problems in our region were extensive and could only, if 
at all, be remedied through a coordinated federal, state and local 
effort. After our first meeting, we pulled our resources together--
those of the Kentucky State Government and the United States 
Government--and got to work. Right away we began asking local mayors, 
judges and area development districts to join forces in our effort to 
clean up the region. Then we asked the public to help. Thus was formed 
the PRIDE program, which stands for Personal Responsibility in a 
Desirable Environment. The response has been overwhelming. Thousands 
are involved in improving their home region, thanks to General 
Bickford's dedication and leadership.
  Through our federal, state, and local partnership, we have made 
significant strides in cleaning up our rivers and streams, helping our 
counties address sewage and trash problems, and educating our children 
about the importance of a clean environment. As a lifelong resident of 
Southern and Eastern Kentucky, words cannot describe how wonderful it 
is to see our region being reborn. Because of the success of the PRIDE 
program, and modeled after it, we are now implementing initiatives to 
enhance tourism, improve our economy and bring new jobs to the 5th 
Congressional District. These initiatives would not be possible without 
the efforts of General Bickford.
  Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my friend General Bickford for the time, 
energy, and devotion he has invested in making our world a better 
place. I am especially grateful for his unwavering commitment to the 
PRIDE program and the people of the 5th District of Kentucky. There is 
no doubt in my mind that we will continue to benefit from his profound 
contributions for many years to come.

                          ____________________