[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 148 (Friday, November 15, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2059]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   TRIBUTE TO GENERAL JOHN N. ABRAMS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. IKE SKELTON

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 14, 2002

  Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, it has come to my attention that a long and 
exceptionally distinguished career has come to an end. General John N. 
Abrams' 36 years of service to the nation has been marked by 
meritorious service in increasingly demanding command and staff 
positions, culminating as Commanding General, United States Army 
Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC), Fort Monroe, Virginia. 
Throughout, General Abrams demonstrated strong and inspiring 
leadership, unsurpassed executive ability, and an untiring dedication 
to the spirit and mission of the United States Army.
  General Abrams was commissioned through Officer Candidate School at 
Fort Knox, Kentucky, on February 3, 1967, after enlisting in the United 
States Army on February 17, 1966. He is a graduate of Bowling Green 
State University in Ohio with a Bachelor of Science in Business 
Administration and Shippensburg State University of Pennsylvania with a 
Masters of Science in Public Administration. He is also a 1986 graduate 
of the Army War College.
  General Abrams has served in command and staff positions over the 
last thirty-five years. He is a combat veteran of Vietnam from August 
1967 to July 1969 where he served as an armored cavalry platoon leader 
and armored cavalry troop commander with the 2d Squadron, 1st Cavalry, 
which deployed from the 2d Armored Division, Fort Hood, Texas. He 
commanded the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment in Fulda, Germany, from 
1988 to 1990; the 2d Infantry Division, Uijongbu, Korea, from 1993 to 
1995; and V Corps, Heidelberg, Germany, from 1995 to 1997. Prior to 
assuming command of TRADOC, he was the TRADOC Deputy Commanding General 
from August 1997 to September 1998.
  His service includes staff assignments as Chief of Staff of the 3rd 
Armored Division in Germany; Military Science Instructor at the United 
States Military Academy at West Point; Army Staff Officer in War Plans 
and Deputy Director of Operations Directorate in the Office of the 
Deputy Chief of Staff of Operations and Plans.
  His awards and decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal, 
Silver Star with oak leaf cluster, Legion of Merit with two oak leaf 
clusters, Bronze Star with three oak leaf clusters and Valor device, 
and the Purple Heart. He has also received the Knight Commander's Cross 
of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany.
  Throughout his career, General Abrams has made significant 
contributions at every level assigned. In his final assignment, he 
brought to bear the accumulated experience and dedication of a career 
spent serving the nation and our soldiers. He has provided continuity 
for the Profession of Arms--integrity, loyalty, dedication, mentorship, 
vision, and the willingness to take and stand behind the risks 
associated with implementing change in the Army. General Abrams' 
distinguished performance of duty will have far-reaching impacts on the 
future of the Army. I am certain that my colleagues will join me in 
wishing General Abrams all the best.

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