[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 53 (Thursday, April 22, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Page S4298]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    HONORING LT. COL. MARC SUKOLSKY

 Mr. CRAPO. Mr. President, I rise to honor Lt. Col. Marc 
Sukolsky, a long time Idaho resident, upon his retirement from 24 years 
of service in the U.S. Air Force. Mark has served his country well, in 
peacetime and in war. Idaho is proud to be represented by such a 
dedicated soldier.
  Marc Sukolsky received his master's degree in music pedagogy and then 
taught at Idaho State University. After 4 years of teaching, Marc began 
his extensive military leadership career in logistics in the Ninth Air 
Force and 363rd Fighter Wing. Exhibiting strong leadership early in his 
career, Marc was chosen as a senior logistics and resource inspector to 
develop future military base locations in Southwest Asia. In this 
position his inherent abilities as a negotiator and diplomat became 
well known. As his expertise grew, so did his influence. Mark's advice 
was solicited by the most senior officials including the Joint Chiefs 
of Staff.
   In 1993, while stationed at the U.S. Embassy in the Netherlands, 
Marc played an important role in organizing logistical agreements 
between the U.S. and the Netherlands. This involved organizing troop 
and equipment movement both within the Netherlands and throughout 
Europe. As a military representative for the U.S. Secretary of State, 
Marc was also able to negotiate with foreign officials for permanent 
troop positions in Europe.
  In the mid 1990's, he was called to assist NATO Allied Forces during 
the crisis in the Balkans. He drafted and implemented strategies for 
all logistical arrangements between the U.S. and Allied forces. In 
addition, he provided guidance and training for those nations seeking 
NATO membership.
  His abilities to plan and execute defense, economic, and trade policy 
were tested and proven, when as a Commander he led the deployment of 
over 1.5 million pounds of equipment and 3,400 personnel to sensitive 
areas including the Persian Gulf. He managed to save the government 
over $19 million with new budgetary and finance programs. Leading the 
quality assurance of flying wing he recorded over 28,000 sorties and 
over 49,000 hours of flawless flying. In this position he was the 
principal advisor to the U.S. Ambassador of U.S. European Command on 
all armament matters. While serving in this capacity, he negotiated 
over $135 million in arms sales in 2002. He also contracted an $800 
million aircraft development deal with the Netherlands.
  In all of this, the role of his wife Ellen should not be understated. 
During 25 years of marriage, she has made tremendous sacrifices during 
Marc's time in the military. Together, they have spent 11 years 
overseas, relocated eleven times, and even spent 2 years apart during 
two 2-year separations.
  I would like to honor Lt. Col. Marc Sukolsky and Ellen Sukolsky for 
their selfless service and sacrifice for their country. It is 
especially appropriate during this time of conflict to recognize a 
couple who have done so much for the freedom and stability of their 
country and the world. I wish both of them the best as they approach 
this new chapter of life together.

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