[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 86 (Friday, June 24, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1345]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            TRIBUTE TO COLONEL RICHARD C. CROTTY, U.S. ARMY

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. KEN CALVERT

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, June 24, 2005

  Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor Colonel 
Richard C. Crotty, United States Army, for his service and leadership 
while commanding the United States Army's 653rd Area Support Group. On 
June 25, 2005, Colonel Crotty will relinquish his command of the 653rd 
and report for assignment to the Joint Chiefs of Staff, J-3 Operations 
Directorate at the Pentagon.
  After graduating from North Georgia College with a Bachelor of 
Science degree in 1980, Colonel Crotty began his military career at the 
Infantry Officer Basic Course at Fort Benning, Georgia. As a trained 
parachutist, he served with a number of airborne units, including the 
much heralded 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
  While with the 82nd Airborne Division he fought in Grenada during the 
1983 U.S. invasion. Colonel Crotty spent 12 years in the Rangers and 
Special Forces and was a student at the Army War College in Carlisle, 
Pennsylvania when receiving orders to take over the 653rd.
  On August 9, 2003, Colonel Crotty assumed Command of the 653rd, 
headquartered at March Air Reserve Base in Riverside, California. This 
unit is based in my congressional district and a number of the 
reservists under Colonel Crotty's command are my constituents. I have 
come to know Colonel Crotty as a dedicated and selfless leader with a 
``can do'' attitude. He has demonstrated his leadership and innovation 
in developing and coordinating the joint training center at March Air 
Reserve Base. When complete, this jointly funded and shared training 
center will be used by 1,800 service-members.
  Colonel Crotty has seen the 653rd deploy 1,367 troops in support of 
Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. These troops 
include military police officers, chemical and biological warfare 
specialists, Humvee mechanics, communications experts and oil-pipeline 
builders. Knowing the sacrifice and challenges all reservists 
experience, Colonel Crotty has demonstrated a sincere dedication to 
preparing these service-members for the serious mission that lies 
before them. I know his troops share my admiration of his compassion, 
strength, and service to our country.
  He has earned my many thanks. I wish him well in his new assignment 
at the Pentagon and in all of his future endeavors.

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