[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 73 (Friday, May 21, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Page S6086]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    TRIBUTE TO LTG JAMES E. SHERRARD

 Mr. CHAMBLISS. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to 
an exceptional officer in the United States Air Force and a good 
friend, LTG James E. Sherrard III, upon his retirement after more than 
38 years of distinguished service. Throughout his career, General 
Sherrard has personified the Air Force core values of integrity, 
selfless service, and excellence across the many missions the Air Force 
provides in defense of our Nation. As Chief of Air Force Reserve, many 
of us on Capitol Hill have enjoyed the opportunity to work with General 
Sherrard on a wide variety of Air Force issue and programs and it is my 
privilege to recognize his many accomplishments. I commend his superb 
service to the United States Air Force and this great Nation.
  General Sherrard is a native of Tutwiler, MS, and graduated from the 
University of Mississippi's Reserve Officer Training Corps program in 
1965. His career has spanned a variety of operational assignments and 
major command staff functions. The general has commanded the 910th 
Airlift Wing at Youngstown, OH; the 433rd Airlift Wing at San Antonio, 
TX; the 4th Air Force, March Air Reserve Base, CA; and 22nd Air Force, 
Dobbins Air Reserve Base, GA. Currently, General Sherrard serves as 
both the Chief of Air Force Reserve and Commander, Air Force Reserve 
Command. He is a command pilot with more than 5,000 hours in the T-41, 
T-37, T-38, C-130A/B/E/H, AC-130A, C-141B, and C-5A/B. In 1996, he 
received special recognition from the Air Force enlisted force with the 
presentation of the Order of the Sword.
  General Sherrard's exceptional leadership skills have been evident to 
both supervisors and subordinates throughout his career as he 
repeatedly led and inspired those around him. He was the Chief of Air 
Force Reserve during the most demanding period in history for the 
Reserve Components. Under his tenure, the Air Force Reserve 
successfully experienced the largest mobilization since the Korean War. 
Cumulatively, more than 28,000 members of the command have been 
activated since September 11, 2001, with 5,300 members still on orders 
in support of the Global War on Terror, OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM, 
OPERATION NOBLE EAGLE and OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM.
  During his term as the Chief of Air Force Reserve, General Sherrard 
has always maintained a ``People First'' philosophy. He has called on 
each member of his team to advance legislative strategies, readiness, 
and quality of life issues that are absolutely essential to maintaining 
both active and reserve components of our all volunteer force. The 
results of his efforts include a Montgomery GI Bill Kicker for the 
Selected Reserve and extension of eligibility from 10 to 14 years; 
command responsibility pay; hostile fire and imminent danger pays for 
Reservists on inactive duty; expanded TRICARE benefits; lodging 
reimbursements during leave; and commissary privileges for all 
reservists. General Sherrard has been the driving force on every major 
Air Force Reserve issue from rebalancing the force structure between 
the Reserve and Active components to updating Cold War era laws to more 
effectively employ Reserve members.
  On behalf of Congress and the United States of America, I thank 
General Sherrard, his wife Marsha, and their entire family for the 
commitment, sacrifices, and contribution that they have made throughout 
his honorable military career. Congratulations on completing an 
exceptional and extremely successful career.

                          ____________________