[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 132 (Wednesday, September 24, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1877-E1878]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    HONORING COLONEL DIANE L. BERARD

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. PAUL RYAN

                              of wisconsin

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 24, 2003

  Mr. RYAN of Wisconsin. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Colonel 
Diane L. Berard, a native of Janesville, Wisconsin, who will retire 
later this year after more than 26 years of distinguished service with 
the United States Army.
  Colonel Berard was born in Janesville, Wisconsin, and attended the 
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. She graduated with a degree in 
accounting and was recognized as a Distinguished Military Graduate for 
her participation in the university's four-year ROTC program. In 
addition to holding the distinction of being the first woman to 
graduate from a four-year ROTC program at the University of Wisconsin-
Whitewater, Colonel Berard is also the school's first ROTC graduate to 
earn the rank of Colonel in the United States Army.
  Colonel Berard's first duty station was with the U.S. Army in 
Germany. Since that assignment, Colonel Berard has been stationed in 
Fort Stewart, Georgia; the Pentagon; Rock Island Arsenal, Illinois; 
Fort Jackson, South Carolina; Fort Hood, Texas; Fort Eustis, Virginia; 
and Fort McCoy, Wisconsin. She closes out her long military career as 
the senior military Resource Manager for the U.S. Army

[[Page E1878]]

Training and Doctrine Command at Fort Monroe, Virginia. At Fort Monroe, 
she worked with the Deputy Chief of Staff for Resource Management in 
the planning, execution, and overall management of resources totaling 
4.2 billion dollars.
  As a reflection of the leadership skills and financial management 
expertise that have allowed her to shape the future of financial 
services for soldiers and their units serving worldwide, Colonel Berard 
has received numerous awards and decorations. Eight Meritorious Service 
Medals, two Army Commendation Medals and two Army Achievement Medals 
are only a few of the many distinctions that she received throughout 
her career. Upon her retirement, Colonel Berard will be awarded the 
prestigious Legion of Merit, an honor reserved for members of the Armed 
Forces who have displayed exceptionally outstanding conduct in the 
performance of meritorious service to the United States. This 
tremendous award is a fitting tribute to Colonel Berard for her 
courage, patriotic service, and exemplary dedication to her profession.
  I ask my colleagues to join me in thanking Colonel Berard for her 
service to the Nation and the United States Army, and wish her and her 
family all the best in their future endeavors.

                          ____________________