[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 135 (Saturday, November 20, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2124]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING WAYNE SPRUELL

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOHN M. McHUGH

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Saturday, November 20, 2004

  Mr. McHUGH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Wayne Spruell, 
principal director for manpower and personnel, Office of the Assistant 
Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs, upon his retirement from 
Federal service and to thank him for his contributions to the United 
States of America over the past 36 years. Since graduating from the 
Virginia Military Institute in 1968, Mr. Spruell has served his country 
honorably and with great distinction in both the military and Federal 
civilian service.
  His 3 years of active duty as a lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps 
included 18 months in the Republic of Vietnam. During this period he 
was awarded two Bronze Stars with combat device. Subsequent to his 
active duty, he completed 20 years in the Marine Corps Reserve, 
retiring in 1992 at the grade of lieutenant colonel.
  Mr. Spruell's career as a Federal civilian employee began in the U.S. 
Customs Service and continued as an operations officer and intelligence 
analyst with the Central Intelligence Agency from 1972 until 1981. His 
assignments included overseas tours in Vietnam and Panama. In 1975, the 
CIA awarded him the Intelligence Star--an award for voluntary acts of 
courage performed under hazardous conditions or for outstanding 
achievements or services rendered with distinction under conditions of 
grave risk.
  From 1981 until 1985, he had responsibility for the Army's individual 
training programs and then moved to the Office of the Assistant 
Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs as a program analyst. In 
recognition of his exceptional skill as a leader and manager, he was 
selected as the director for manpower programs, a position he held 
until 1994. Subsequently, his success and effectiveness as the 
principal director for manpower and personnel resulted in his selection 
as a member of the Senior Executive Service in 1999.
  Mr. Spruell is the leading expert within the Department of Defense on 
National Guard and reserve manpower and personnel matters. In that 
capacity he has been instrumental in many of the legislative and policy 
initiatives that have fundamentally reshaped America's reserve 
components. His contributions to the Reserve Officers Personnel 
Management Act, the Reserve Component GI Bill, and military technician 
reforms were especially noteworthy. He led the transformation of 
reserve personnel management and employment by removing statutory and 
policy barriers to allow for the seamless integration of the active and 
reserve components while accomplishing defense missions. In the wake of 
the events of September 11, 2001, Mr. Spruell was the architect of the 
Department's personnel policies and procedures for mobilized Guard and 
Reserve members.
  Noteworthy as these accomplishments are, there are other aspects of 
Mr. Spruell's career that I believe deserve our respect and thanks. For 
one thing, Mr. Spruell is a consummate, constant professional who can 
be counted on always to both lead and to provide reliable, objective 
insight and assistance in all matters pertaining to reserve component 
personnel. For another, over the years he has helped my subcommittee 
and others in Congress immeasurably in shaping important legislation 
and as a result has made a difference for the better in the lives of 
many. In my view, however, Mr. Spruell's value to this Nation and to 
the men and women who serve it in uniform rests in his unhesitating, 
unselfish commitment to doing the best job he can in every way, without 
thought of formal recognition or gain. That kind of lifelong dedication 
and professionalism is what makes his service doubly worth recognition.
  When he retires in January, the Department of Defense will sorely 
miss his leadership, knowledge and experience. A dedicated patriot, Mr. 
Spruell leaves a legacy of unquestionable successes, positive 
relationships, and a solid foundation for the future. I want to thank 
him, on behalf of my colleagues on the House Armed Services Committee, 
for all that he has given to the Nation and to wish him, his wife Lan, 
and family well in all their future endeavors.

                          ____________________