[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 84 (Thursday, June 17, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Page S6993]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 LIEUTENANT COLONEL MICHAEL J. DELANEY

  Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, I rise today to honor Lieutenant Colonel 
Michael J. Delaney of our Army's Office of Legislative Liaison. 
Lieutenant Colonel Delaney has distinguished himself as an outstanding 
American soldier from the great State of Virginia and will soon 
complete over 23 years of selfless service to the Nation in the United 
States Army. His dedication to Soldiers, commitment to excellence, and 
performance of duty has been extraordinary throughout his career and, 
especially over the past 4 years, has cemented the positive 
relationship between Congress and the U.S. Army. He will retire on 
August 1, 2004.
  Over his 23 years of selfless service, Lieutenant Colonel Delaney 
served in a succession of command and staff positions worldwide. As a 
junior officer, he stood at the forefront of freedom during the Cold 
War in Germany. From the Cold War frontline, Lieutenant Colonel Delaney 
earned his wings as an aviator and qualified on a variety of rotary 
wing and fixed wing aircraft. During Desert Shield and Desert Storm, 
Lieutenant Colonel Delaney commanded an aviation unit based at Fort 
Belvoir. Despite the wide dispersion of his unit throughout the combat 
theater, they were able to successfully accomplish their mission due, 
in no small part, to his exceptional and inspirational leadership. 
Lieutenant Colonel Delaney has since served in a variety of positions 
of increasing responsibility.
  For the past 4 years, Lieutenant Colonel Delaney has served as a 
congressional liaison for the U.S. Army. Perhaps this assignment was 
pre-ordained, as Lieutenant Colonel Delaney's wife, the former Susan 
Fanning, served as staff to Senator Paul Laxalt of Nevada. His mother-
in-law, Shirley Fanning, also has a history with the Senate as she 
served on the staffs of Senators Everett Dirksen and Strom Thurmond for 
25 years. Lieutenant Colonel Delaney's work as a legislative liaison 
and as the Chief of the Programs Division enabled the Army to provide 
this Congress the information we need to accomplish our constitutional 
duties. His efforts have been exceptional and noteworthy in working 
with Congress during a critical time as the Army undertook 
transformation, in the aftermath of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, and 
during our current efforts with the Global War on Terrorism. Throughout 
this critical time Lieutenant Colonel Delaney has fostered a personal 
relationship between Congress and the U.S. Army.
  Lieutenant Colonel Delaney holds degrees from George Mason 
University, B.A., 1981, and the Naval War College, M.S., 1996. His 
military awards include the Legion of Merit, the Meritorious Service 
Medal, and the Master Aviator Badge.
  Lieutenant Colonel Delaney represents the epitome of what the Army 
seeks in a congressional liaison and the country expects from our 
officers. His service to the Nation has been exceptional, and 
Lieutenant Colonel Delaney is more than deserving of this recognition.

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