[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 90 (Thursday, June 30, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Page S7816]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        TRIBUTE IN HONOR OF RADM EDWARD ``ANDY'' WILKINSON, RET.

 Mr. SHELBY. Mr. President, today I pay tribute to a great 
patriot, RADM Andy Wilkinson, on the occasion of his retirement. Andy 
has led a life of great purpose, from his childhood days in Alabama to 
a dedicated military career and his time in the private sector in 
Huntsville, AL. A native of Selma, Andy is of the generation of 
military leaders in this Nation whose sacrifice and commitment 
preserved and protected our freedom from Vietnam on into the long 
decades of confrontation with the former Soviet Union, and beyond.
  He began his distinguished 34-year military career in 1955 when he 
was commissioned as an ensign upon his graduation from the U.S. Naval 
Academy. He also graduated from the Armed Forces Staff College, the 
National War College, and he holds a Master's Degree in Engineering 
from the George Washington University. During his Naval career as a 
pilot, he held six commands, four of which were in operational aviation 
units, including command of Patrol Wings, U.S. Atlantic Fleet. Andy 
also served on the staff of the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for 
Air and as Manager of the Anti-Submarine Warfare Systems Project Office 
in the Naval Material Command, supervising a budget of over $1 billion 
per year.
  With an expertise in aviation, antisubmarine warfare, and mapping, 
charting, and geodesy, MC&G, Andy served as the Director of the Defense 
Mapping Agency, DMA. In this role, he was responsible to the Secretary 
of Defense for all service MC&G matters and managed the multi-billion-
dollar DMA all digital modernization program. Andy has been awarded the 
Defense Distinguished Service Medal, the Defense Superior Service 
Medal, and two Legions of Merit Medals during his distinguished 
military career.
  In 1985, Andy joined the Intergraph Corporation as a senior 
representative to the U.S. Government on relations with Congress and 
the executive department. After being promoted to vice president in 
1987 and to executive vice president in 1994, Andy then served as 
Director of U.S. Federal Sales and Marketing until 1999. He currently 
provides leadership and expertise by overseeing all Government 
relations and Federal solutions business planning.
  During his career, Andy has shown continuous dedication and played a 
major role in several large contracts and programs that have helped to 
improve government and the efficiency and effectiveness of a vast array 
of military programs. Andy was instrumental in the management and 
development of CAD-2 programs for the Naval Sea Systems Command, Naval 
Air Systems Command, and Naval Facilities Engineering Command, which 
provide information technology support and integration in the Navy and 
Federal government. Also, Andy served a vital role in developing the 
Depot Maintenance Accounting and Production System for the Air Force 
Material Command, AFMC. By facilitating data exchange between legacy 
systems, this program greatly enhanced AFMC's decisionmaking process 
and increased responsiveness to the warfighter and other support 
personnel.
  Finally, I should also say that Andy distinguished himself in yet 
another way. He is one of those rare individuals whose word is his 
bond, and whose actions, both personal and professional, are based on a 
bedrock of integrity. He has earned the confidence and respect of 
countless Members of Congress, Senators, and his colleagues.
  I ask my colleagues to join me in paying special tribute to Mr. Andy 
Wilkinson. I thank him for his service, and I wish Andy and his wife 
Sondra and their family the very best as they begin a new chapter in 
their lives.

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