[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 2 (Wednesday, January 21, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E30-E31]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     TRIBUTE TO THE 12TH SERGEANT MAJOR OF THE ARMY, JACK L. TILLEY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOE KNOLLENBERG

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 21, 2004

  Mr. KNOLLENBERG. Mr. Speaker, it is my distinct honor and privilege 
to simply say thank you to the 12th Sergeant Major of the Army, Jack L. 
Tilley. Thank you for your service to our country. Thank you for your 
sacrifice to this great nation, and thank you for your leadership as 
the highest ranking enlisted soldier in the Army.
  Last week, Sergeant Major Tilley and his wife Gloria retired after 35 
years in the Army. As Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, 
Subcommittee on Military Construction, I had the distinct pleasure of 
listening to Sergeant Major Tilley testify about quality of life issues 
for Army soldiers. I witnessed his concern for the men and women who 
serve our country. Let me assure you, Sergeant Major Tilley was a 
zealous and effective advocate for all soldiers. There were numerous 
occasions when his suggestions were incorporated into subcommittee 
policy. Believe me, Sergeant Major Tilley made a difference in the 
lives of soldiers and their families.
  Effectively representing soldiers of the most powerful Army in the 
world is a challenging and evolving task. In his statement to the 
Subcommittee on Military Construction Appropriations on March 5, 2003, 
Sergeant Major Tilley stated, ``Almost three years ago my boss--Army 
Chief of Staff General Eric Shinseki--gave me a fairly simple charter. 
My mission is to get out among our soldiers and their families, 
understand their needs and issues, and become their biggest advocate 
and supporter as I represent them to him, the Secretary of the Army, 
and other senior leaders throughout our government.'' I can say without 
hesitation, Sergeant Major Tilley has accomplished his mission.
  Over the course of his career, and most notably during his tenure as 
Sergeant Major of the Army, Jack Tilley's number one priority was Army 
soldiers. From the day he took the office of Sergeant Major of the Army 
in June 2000, until his retirement, Jack Tilley took his mission to 
heart. By his own admission, Sergeant Major Tilley logged hundreds of 
thousands of miles of travel visiting Army soldiers across the United 
States and forward deployed to countries all over the world. Sergeant 
Major Tilley's actions and dedication reveal that he is not afraid to 
get his boots muddy, in fact, he revels in it.
  Sergeant Major Tilley's care for soldiers was tested many times 
during his tour of duty. As the first Sergeant Major of the Army 
appointed in the 21st Century, Jack Tilley has coached and mentored 
Army soldiers through many challenges that his predecessors could never 
have imagined. Sergeant Major Tilley was the Army's lead advocate for 
soldier issues as a new administration came into office, defense 
transformation became a reality, and our country, and the building he 
worked in, were viciously attacked on September 11th, ushering in a new 
type of war, the Global War on Terrorism.
  Yet for all that can be said about Sergeant Major Tilley and his many 
accomplishments, he is nothing if not the embodiment of the modern 
American Soldier. Sergeant Major Tilley's concern and dedication for 
Army soldiers reflects what the President said to soldiers at Fort Hood 
Texas, and I quote:
  ``As members of our military, you serve this nation's ideals and you 
demonstrate those ideals in your code and in your character. As 
Commander-in-Chief, I have come to know the men and women who wear 
America's uniform. I have seen your love of country and your devotion 
to a cause larger than yourself. I have seen your discipline, your 
idealism, and your sense of honor. I know that every order I give can 
bring a cost. I also know without a doubt that every order I give will 
be carried out with skill and unselfish courage.''
  The fact that the President of the United States notices and commends 
Army soldiers is testimony to the hard work and dedication of people 
like Sergeant Major Tilley. Unquestionably, the United States possesses 
the

[[Page E31]]

most effective and professional fighting force that the world has ever 
seen. The quality and caliber of Army soldiers continues to grow, 
despite increasing operational tempo and tremendous expectations thrust 
on the dedicated men and women who serve our country.
  Thank you Sergeant Major Tilley for your leadership and values that 
have made our Army the most professional and effective fighting force 
in the world. Thank you for your ability to inform the Appropriations 
Committee on quality of life issues that impact soldiers and their 
families, and God's blessings to you as you begin your next great 
journey upon your retirement from the Army.

                          ____________________