[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 89 (Thursday, June 24, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1227-E1228]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            TRIBUTE TO COMMAND SERGEANT MAJOR BILLY TENTION

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. JOHN M. SPRATT, JR.

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 23, 2004

  Mr. SPRATT. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to recognize the career of an 
extraordinary South Carolinian, United States Army Command Sergeant 
Major (CSM) Billy Tention. Following 30 years of distinguished service 
and after reaching the Army's highest enlisted rank, CSM Tention will 
retire from active duty on July 9, 2004. The significance of this 
milestone is matched only by his devoted service.
  General George C. Marshall once said, ``There is no limit to the good 
you can do if you don't care who gets the credit.'' This defines the 
military career of CSM Tention.
  Born in September 1953, in Camden, South Carolina, he entered the 
Army in September 1974, after graduating from Ashwood Central High 
School. He underwent basic training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina and 
received his Advanced Training at Fort Sam Houston, Texas. CSM Tention 
then excelled at every rung up the leadership ladder. From his early 
days as non-commissioned officer in charge of the Services Branch at 
Eisenhower Army Medical Center to Hospital Command Sergeant Major at 
Fort Leonard Wood, CSM Tention has demonstrated the Army's core values: 
selfless service, loyalty, honor, and integrity.
  His dedicated 30-year commitment to the Army speaks of his loyalty, 
loyalty to his country, the Army, and most importantly, his fellow 
soldiers. ``Do your duty in all things,'' General Robert E. Lee once 
said. ``You can never do more. You should never wish to do less.'' CSM 
Tention did his duty through service in numerous assignments including 
war-fighting during the first Persian Gulf War and other overseas duty 
in Europe and Asia. There's an old Army saying: ``Take care of your 
people,

[[Page E1228]]

and they'll take care of you.'' CSM Tention has been taking care of his 
people for 30 years. Whether it's exceeding recruitment/retention 
goals, yielding the highest Expert Field Medical Badge graduation rate, 
or spearheading Dining In's and ethnic recognition programs, CSM 
Tention's actions reflect the highest respect and honor among seniors, 
peers, and subordinates alike.
  CSM Tention's awards and decorations include two Legions of Merit, 
the Bronze Star Medal, two Meritorious Service Medals, the Army 
Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, 10 Good Conduct Medals, 
the Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia), the Kuwait Liberation Medal 
(Kuwait), the Expert Field Medical Badge, the Air Assault Badge, and 
the Recruiter Badge with 3 Gold Stars.
  CSM Tention earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Columbia College in 
2004 and is working towards a Master's degree in Human Resource 
Management from Webster University.
  I am proud to represent all South Carolinians in thanking CSM Tention 
and his family for their dedication, commitment to country, and 
service. CSM Tention is a credit to the United States Army and to the 
United States of America. I wish him all the best as he makes the 
transition to civilian life.

                          ____________________