[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 99 (Tuesday, July 8, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1422-E1423]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               RECOGNITION OF MAJOR GENERAL DAVID HARRIS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JOHN SHIMKUS

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 8, 2003

  Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, I rise before you today to recognize Major 
General David Harris, The Adjutant General of the Illinois National 
Guard. Major General Harris will be retiring from his position after 
more than thirty-three years of military service.
  Maj. General Harris was appointed Adjutant General in 1999. During 
his service as leader of the Illinois National Guard, he oversaw its 
largest mobilization since World War II. The military operations in 
Iraq saw more than 2,600 soldiers and airmen mobilized or alerted

[[Page E1423]]

for duty. Mobilizations also took place in large numbers for Operation 
Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan as well.
  New military construction projects were also a major part of Harris' 
tenure. Working with the Illinois congressional delegation along with 
state leaders, funding was secured for new armories and for the upgrade 
of existing armories throughout the state.
  Major General Harris began his military career in 1970. In 1971 he 
successfully completed Infantry Officer Candidate School at Fort 
Benning, Georgia. He joined the Illinois Army National Guard in 1979 
where he has held numerous positions. During the 1980's he served as a 
member of the Illinois House of Representatives representing his home 
in the northwest Chicago suburb of Arlington Heights.
  I want to thank Major General Harris for his many years of service to 
his country and state. He is a man of great ability, but more 
importantly a man of integrity who has devoted his life to protecting 
the citizens of his country and state. I wish him the best as he enters 
retirement. He will be missed.

                          ____________________