[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 65 (Tuesday, May 11, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E813]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  IN HONOR OF DELPHINE METCALF-FOSTER

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. GEORGE MILLER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 11, 2004

  Mr. GEORGE MILLER of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to invite 
my colleagues to join me in congratulating Ms. Delphine Metcalf-Foster 
on the occasion of her election as State Commander of the California 
Disabled American Veterans.
  Delphine Metcalf-Foster was recently elected Commander of the 
California Disabled American Veterans, the first female to hold this 
position in the organization's 81 year history. Before that she was the 
Senior Vice Commander and Junior Vice Commander of the California 
Disabled American Veterans; again the first woman to hold these 
positions. As you will soon understand, Ms. Metcalf-Foster is a 
remarkable woman, a remarkable American and a great asset to her 
community and our country.
  Ms. Metcalf-Foster retired from the Army Reserve as a First Sergeant 
after 21 years of service, including as a combat veteran in the Gulf 
War/Desert Storm/Desert Shield 12 years ago. She is a recipient of a 
Bronze Star. Delphine retired from the Department of the Navy at the 
Alameda Naval Air Station as a Quality Assurance Specialist after 20 
years. She has an Associate of Arts degree in psychology and a Bachelor 
of Arts degree in Liberal Studies from Sonoma State University (SSU). 
She is also active with the Women's Army Corps (WAC) and a member of 
the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
  First Sergeant Metcalf-Foster has been awarded the following 
decorations and medals: Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal 
(10c), National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Army 
Reserve Component Achievement Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal, 
Bronze Star, NCO Professional Development Ribbon-3, Army Service 
Ribbon, Overseas Ribbon, and the Army Label Button.
  Ms. Metcalf-Foster's work with the Disabled American Veterans 
includes positions as the Past Chapter 21 Commander, the Past District 
1 Commander, the Past Department Commander's Aide for the North, and 
the Past National Commander's Aide.
  In 2003 Ms. Metcalf-Foster agreed to join a Veterans Advisory Board 
that I formed with Congresswoman Ellen Tauscher to help us stay in 
close contact with veterans in our districts. Delphine has been very 
helpful to us in that role.
  In addition to her current position with the California Disabled 
American Veterans, Ms. Metcalf-Foster is also Adjutant for Chapter 21, 
attends Graduate School at Sonoma State University, volunteers as a 
mentor for teen mothers, speaks at history classes at SSU regarding 
women in the military, and is the annual speaker at Solano College 
during Women's History Month. She is married to Jimmie S. Foster Sr., 
is the mother of three, grandmother of six including Sgt. Jacare Hogan 
who just returned from Iraq after a 13-month tour, and great-
grandmother of two. She lives in Vallejo.
  Mr. Speaker, it is appropriate that we recognize Ms. Metcalf-Foster 
for her service to her country, her many remarkable contributions to 
her fellow veterans and her community, and that we wish her well in her 
new position as Commander of the California Disabled American Veterans.

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