[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 21 (Wednesday, February 25, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E228]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              REGARDING THE RETIREMENT OF DUDLEY L. TADEMY

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                            HON. IKE SKELTON

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 25, 2004

  Mr. SKELTON. Mr Speaker, one of the privileges of serving as a member 
of Congress is that you work with some amazing people. The halls of our 
buildings are filled with bright and energetic Americans, and every now 
and then among them a true hero.
  By my definition, a hero is someone who would never use that word. 
Dudley Tademy, who is leaving the Armed Services Committee staff this 
week, fits that definition. But he fits anyone's definition of an 
honorable patriot.
  Before Dudley came to Capitol Hill, before he took on the job of 
overseeing the military's readiness for the Armed Services Committee, 
before he was the assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Atomic 
Energy, before all of those achievements that would be enough credit 
for any man, he was thirty years a soldier. As Captain Tademy, he 
served in Vietnam, and what service that was.
  Mr. Speaker, even those members not familiar with the details of that 
grueling war may have heard of Landing Zone X-Ray, and the la Drang 
Valley. They are familiar names, thanks to the book ``We Were Soldiers 
Once . . . and Young.'' That story, of how the 1st Cavalry Division 
(Airmobile) endured one of the most brutal engagements of that war, is 
also part of the story of Dudley Tademy. He was there. And as the fire 
support coordinator for the 3rd Brigade, he devised and directed the 
artillery plan that was central to holding the enemy at bay and 
creating an escape path for hundreds of overrun American soldiers. 
Across our country are men, their children, and grandchildren who would 
not be with us but for Dudley Tademy.
  As he said of that time, ``It's our job to get the job done and get 
those kids home safe.'' He brought that same dedication and mission to 
his work with the Armed Services Committee--always putting the soldier 
first.
  For the last ten years, he has carried a Herculean load on the 
committee staff. He oversees military readiness, now a $140 billion 
portfolio; all Department of Energy nuclear weapons related activities, 
another $16 billion annually; all Morale, Welfare, and Recreation 
programs--that's another $18 billion--and matters concerning two of my 
favorite subjects, organization of the Department of Defense and 
professional military education. That's more oversight responsibility 
in one man than some entire full committees on the Hill! And there's 
nobody you or I would trust more to carry those astounding tasks.

  Nothing I or anyone can say here can do justice to Dudley Tademy's 
service, in uniform or after. Yet to speak with him, you would never 
guess at it. He is, in a word we don't use enough in Congress, humble. 
His gentle character and cheerful whistle belie a man of great 
discipline--still keeping up a daily physical training regimen, you'd 
never guess that he was older than most members. But he remains young 
in spirit, mentoring junior staff, and active in his church, where he 
counsels troubled youth.
  Now he can begin to devote proper time to Audrey, who does so much to 
keep Dudley humble. And instead of serving sixty committee members, 
Dudley's priority will be six grandchildren, and I believe they already 
have him more fully scheduled than we ever did.
  Best of all, we know that any time the Committee gets in a jam, we 
can call upon the inspiration of an American who has honored this 
Congress with his service. I salute Dudley Tademy, and know that all 
members will join me in gratitude for his company and devotion.

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