[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 51 (Tuesday, April 20, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E543-E544]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   HONORING COMMANDER JOHN J. ROESNER

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DALE E. KILDEE

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 20, 2004

  Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise before you today to honor an American 
hero, my constituent Commander John J. ``Jack'' Roesner for 22 years of 
faithful steadfast service to the United States Navy. His hard work, 
dedication and leadership to this Nation is without doubt commendable. 
On May 7, 2004, the U.S. Navy will join along with his family to honor 
him during a retirement ceremony to be held at his command, OPNAV--
Naval Education and Training.
  Commander (CDR) Roesner was born and raised in my hometown of Flint, 
Michigan. He attended Northern Michigan University, where he earned 
both his Bachelor and Masters Degrees. In February of 1982, CDR Roesner 
completed Navy Officer Candidate School and earned his commission. His 
first assignment as a Surface Warfare Officer was aboard the USS Mahlon 
S. Tisdale (FFG-27), where he served as the Commanding Ordance Officer 
and subsequently as Damage Control Assistant and Combat Information 
Center Officer. During this tour CDR Roesner qualified as Surface 
Warfare Officer and Gas Turbine Engineering Officer of the Watch 
(EOOW). In November of 1985 he transferred to the Naval Reserve Officer 
Training Corps (NROTC) located at the University of Mississippi as an 
Associate Professor and Instructor of Naval Science. In February of 
1989, he graduated from the Surface Warfare Officer Department Head 
Curriculum, after which he was assigned as the Combat Systems Officer 
of the USS John Rodgers (DD-983), and subsequently afloat as Combat 
Systems and Material Officer on the staff of Commander, Destroyer 
Squadron Twenty-Six. CDR Roesner in November of 1992 reported for duty 
in Washington, D.C. as Aide and Administrative Assistant to the Naval 
Inspector General, where he served until 1985. After his tour in 
Washington he returned to sea duty and was stationed aboard the USS 
Scott (DDG-995) as the Executive Officer, followed by subsequent afloat 
tour as Chief Staff Officer for Commander, Destroyer Squadron Thirty-
Two. In 1998, he became the Executive Officer of the Navy Recruiting 
District Minneapolis, and on April 14, 2000 he assumed Command of the 
district. In November of 2001, CDR Roesner reported to OPNAV (N-79). 
During CDR Roesner's career he has deployed five times to the 
Mediterranean and/or Western Pacific, completed three North Red Sea 
surges in support of U.N. sanctioned Maritime Interception Operations, 
and two Counter-Narcotics Operation deployments. He completed JPME 
phase-1 training through the Air Force Command and Staff College. CDR 
Roesner was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal w/gold star, Navy/
Marine Corps Commendation Medal w/two gold stars, along with various 
unit and campaign awards. Aside from being an outstanding leader and 
role model, he is a devoted husband to his wife Stephanie.
  Mr. Speaker, as a member of Congress, I ask my colleagues in the 
108th Congress to please join me in congratulating my constituent and 
one of the U.S. Navy's finest sailors Commander Roesner upon his 
retirement

[[Page E544]]

from the U.S. Navy. He has served his country with honor, enthusiasm 
and great concern. I wish him all the best in the future.

                          ____________________