[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 152 (Friday, November 22, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2139]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                               H.R. 4546

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. GENE TAYLOR

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, November 22, 2002

  Mr. TAYLOR of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, as the House considers 
passage of the conference report to the National Defense Authorization 
Act for Fiscal Year 2003, I would like to recognize the contributions 
of an outstanding member of the staff of the House Armed Services 
Committee. His name is George Withers. Of all of the people I have come 
to know in my 13 years on Capitol Hill, I can truly say that I have not 
met a finer person than George Withers.
  As a professional staff member of the Armed Services Committee since 
1993, I have had an opportunity to work closely with George. Over these 
many years, I have come to appreciate his knowledge of the legislative 
process, judgment, professionalism and wisdom.
  Although he has a heart of gold, and a smile that is genuine as a 
sunrise, he was indeed mistaken for a very prominent elected official 
who is not known for his smile. One of the highlights of George's 
career on Capitol Hill was when President George W. Bush, upon meeting 
him, noted his resemblance to the Vice President and remarked, ``How's 
your heart?''
  Around the world, there are likely many members of our nation's 
military who are watching this broadcast. George Withers was a Navy 
Aerographers Mate Third Class (AG3) with an Aircrew designation. He 
flew with VW-1 and VQ-1 flying WC-121 and EC-121 aircraft out of Danang 
during the Vietnam War. He also deployed and flew out of Agana, Guam; 
Cubi Point, Philippines; South Korea, and numerous other locations in 
the Western Pacific. A large number of those flights were electronic 
intercept missions over the Tonkin Gulf. During his distinguished 
service in the Navy, he earned the Bronze Star and completed 86 
penetrations into the eye of typhoons as a typhoon-tracker.
  George's service in Vietnam took place to the advent of the ``all 
volunteer force''. This was a time when folks often ``had to be there'' 
rather than ``volunteered to be there''. Since they had to be there, it 
was pretty obvious from those who were there that our nation didn't pay 
nearly enough attention to what they wanted their barracks or housing 
to look like, what there mess halls served for meals, or what they 
wanted in the way of recreational opportunities. George has spent the 
better part of his career on Capitol Hill correcting those mistakes, 
and seeing to it that they never happen again.
  To the soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines, who are living in new 
quarters or work in new facilities, it has been made possible with the 
great assistance of George Withers. If you're in one of these new 
facilities in South Korea, Germany, Ecuador, Mississippi, or serving 
anywhere in the world, credit for the quality of your quarters is often 
given to a Congressman or a Senator. However, I know for a fact that 
none of these important quality of life improvements for our nation's 
military personnel could have happened without the dedication and hard 
work of a great American named George Withers.
  George, on behalf of the men and women in uniform, your friends here 
on Capitol Hill, and the countless other people that you have helped 
throughout your many years of military and public service, thank you. 
God Bless you in your retirement. You will be sorely missed.

                          ____________________