[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 66 (Wednesday, May 12, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E822]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            HONORING LIEUTENANT GENERAL PARKS' ``GOLD LINE''

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JOE WILSON

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 12, 2004

  Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to pay 
tribute to Lieutenant General Garry L. Parks, the Deputy Commandant, 
Manpower and Reserve Affairs, soon to retire and return to private life 
after more than 35 years of proud service as a United States Marine. 
The departure of General Parks marks not merely the end of an 
illustrious career replete with many honors; it also marks the 
beginning of several initiatives that, by virtue of his strategic 
vision, will ensure the continued success of the Marine Corps into the 
21st century.
   A native of Huntingdon, Pennsylvania, General Parks graduated from 
the Citadel with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1969.
   After completing The Basic School, he was assigned to the 1st Marine 
Division in the Republic of Vietnam, where he served with distinction 
in a variety of positions to include platoon commander and company 
executive officer with the 1st Reconnaissance Battalion. For his 
heroism under fire, General Parks was awarded the Bronze Star Medal 
with Combat ``V''. Next, General Parks served as a company commander 
with 2d Battalion, 3d Marines. General Parks' later assignments include 
Company Commander, Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, South 
Carolina; the Infantry Officers Advanced Course, Fort Benning, Georgia, 
where he graduated on the Commandant's List; and company commander, 2d 
Battalion, 9th Marines, Okinawa, Japan.
  General Parks was an honor graduate at Marine Corps Command and Staff 
College; Commanding Officer, Recruiting Station, Raleigh, North 
Carolina; and the Joint Program and Budget Coordination Officer in the 
Requirements and Programs Division, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps.
  While assigned to the First Marine Division, General Parks served as 
Executive Officer, 5th Marines; Commanding officer, 2d Battalion, 5th 
Marines; and Commanding Officer, 9th Marines. While serving as Chief of 
Staff, Marine Forces Pacific, he was selected to Brigadier General. 
He next served as Commanding General, Marine Corps Recruit Depot/
Western Recruiting Region; Deputy Director for Politico-Military 
Affairs on the Joint Staff; and Commanding General, Marine Corps 
Recruiting Command.

  General Parks will continue to serve as the Deputy Commandant, 
Manpower and Reserve Affairs until his retirement in June 2004. While 
serving in this position he devoted his enormous personal energy into 
implementing manpower programs and policies to ensure the operating 
forces had the Marine Corps manpower required to succeed in Operation 
Enduring Freedom I and II, and Operation Iraqi Freedom I and II and to 
also ensure that Marine families had the support they required during 
these most challenging times.
  Throughout his career as a United States Marine, General Parks 
demonstrated uncompromising character, and a sincere, selfless sense of 
duty to his beloved Marine Corps and to the Nation. His powerful 
leadership inspired Marines to tremendous success no matter the task, 
and achieved results that will guarantee the United States' security 
into the future.
  On behalf of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle, I would like 
to recognize General Parks' extraordinary accomplishments and his 
devoted service to the Nation. Congratulations to him, his wife 
Earlene, son Garry, and daughter Tammy on the completion of a long and 
distinguished career.

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