[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 83 (Wednesday, June 16, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Page S6879]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        CONGRATULATIONS TO VICE ADMIRAL MICHAEL COWAN, U.S. NAVY

 Mr. CAMPBELL. Mr. President, I wish today to pay tribute to a 
great American, patriot, Naval Officer, and fellow Coloradoan, Vice 
Admiral Michael Cowan. This summer, Admiral Cowan will retire from the 
United States Navy after 32 years of distinguished leadership, selfless 
service, and tireless commitment to our Navy and Nation.
  Admiral Cowan became the 34th Surgeon General of the Navy and Chief, 
Bureau of Medicine and Surgery on Aug. 10, 2001. Raised in Fort Morgan, 
CO, he attended the University of Colorado and received his M.D. degree 
from Washington University, St. Louis. Postgraduate training began at 
Temple University and after entering the Navy, was completed at the 
National Naval Medical Center, Bethesda. He is certified in Internal 
Medicine, and as a Physician Executive of the American College of 
Physician Executives.
  Admiral Cowan began his Navy career as a General Medical Officer at 
Camp Lejeune, North Carolina in 1971, and was promoted to flag rank 
while serving as Commanding Officer at the same hospital 25 years 
later. In between, he has held a wide variety of clinical, research, 
operational, staff and leadership positions, including Deputy Executive 
Director, Chief Operating Officer, and Program Executive Officer, 
TRICARE Management Activity, Assistant Secretary of Defense, Health 
Affairs; Chief of Staff, Assistant Secretary of Defense, Health 
Affairs; Surgeon to the Joint Staff; Commander, Defense Medical 
Readiness Training Institute; Commanding Officer, Naval Hospital Camp 
Lejeune; Task Force Surgeon, Operation Restore Hope, Somalia Senior 
Research Fellow, National Defense University; Vice Chairman, Department 
of Military Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health 
Sciences; Chief of Internal Medicine, U.S. Naval Hospital Rota, Spain.
  Throughout his career he has contributed to important advances in the 
military health system to include: the Military Training Network for 
Resuscitative Medicine, MTN; the National Disaster Medical System, 
NDMS; DMRTI; and the integration Force Health Protection Doctrine into 
Joint Staff Joint Vision 2020. At TRICARE Management Activity, he 
played a major leadership role in the implementation of the National 
Defense Authorization Act of 2001, the TRICARE e-health initiative and 
The National Enrollment Database. Recognized by the Department of 
Defense, Members of Congress, and the Nation's health care experts as a 
physician and leader always on the cutting edge of innovation and 
vision.
  Admiral Cowan leaves a legacy of distinction and accomplishments in 
which he should take great pride and satisfaction. During his tenure as 
the Navy Surgeon General, he has met every challenge posed including 
responding to the attacks of September 11, 2001, supporting the 
response to the anthrax attack on the Hart Senate Office Building in 
October 2001, Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, the 
ongoing Global War on Terror, and most recently the ricin attack on the 
Dirksen Senate Building.
  Mr. President, I ask to extend best wishes on behalf of the U.S. 
Senate, for continued happiness and success to Admiral Cowan and his 
lovely wife Linda as they begin the next chapter of their lives, with 
the thanks and gratitude of a grateful nation for Admiral Cowan's loyal 
and dedicated service.

                          ____________________