[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 144 (Wednesday, October 15, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2046]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      THANK YOU, COLONEL DAN BECK

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. ROBIN HAYES

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, October 15, 2003

  Mr. HAYES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and thank Colonel 
Dan Beck for his valuable service to our nation. As he retires from the 
North Carolina Air National Guard, Colonel Beck's dedication to country 
and state is exemplary. I am proud and honored to call him a friend.
  Graduating from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte Colonel 
Beck was commissioned in the North Carolina Air National Guard as a 
Second Lieutenant in 1979. He faithfully served the 145th Civil 
Engineering Squadron for over a decade and was promoted to the rank of 
Lieutenant Colonel in 1992. A short time later, Colonel Beck was 
appointed Commander of the 145th Mission Support Squadron and in 1994 
assumed the position of Headquarters 145th Support Group Commander.
  Serving an illustrious and impressive military career, Colonel Beck 
accomplished a great variety of tasks, to include commanding the first 
Air Force Engineering Deployment into Israel, commanding the North 
Carolina Joint Air/Army Task Force to Homestead, Florida in support of 
Hurricane Andrew relief efforts, and presiding over the multi-million 
dollar acquisition of C-130 H-3 aircraft.
  After completing the International Strategic Studies program at Air 
University-Maxwell Air Force Base in 1997, Colonel Beck was selected as 
the first member of the North Carolina Air National Guard to 
participate in the Capitol Hill Fellowship program. Dan served as a 
Legislative Fellow to Congressman W.G. ``Bill'' Hefner and handled 
defense, transportation and emergency management issues for Congressman 
Hefner. While on staff, Colonel Beck learned and experienced first hand 
how the legislative process works. He became an invaluable asset to 
Congressman Hefner's staff and has used his knowledge ever since to 
help me and the entire North Carolina delegation. He has been an 
effective and true advocate for the North Carolina National Guard, 
thoroughly understanding the legislative process.
  As Colonel Beck's Fellowship came to a close, he returned to his 
roots and accepted a position with the North Carolina National Guard. 
In 1999 he became Deputy Chief of Staff to the Adjutant General for Air 
Force and Air National Guard. Dan has advised on many State and Federal 
issues and has continued to promote the North Carolina National Guard 
in Congress, working closely with me and my staff and others.
  As Colonel Dan Beck takes the next step forward in his professional 
career, I wish him, his wife Trudy and two sons Sterling and Cooper all 
the best. I have enjoyed working with Dan the past several years and 
thank him deeply for his friendship and service to North Carolina and 
the United States of America. May God bless Colonel Dan Beck and his 
family.

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