[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 106 (Friday, July 29, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Page S9457]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              TRIBUTE TO LIEUTENANT COLONEL JOHN D. WASON

 Mr. INHOFE. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to an 
exceptional officer of the United States Army, Lieutenant Colonel John 
D. Wason, upon his retirement after more than 20 years of distinguished 
service.
  Throughout his career, Lieutenant Colonel Wason has personified the 
Army values of duty, integrity, and selfless service across the many 
missions the Army provides in defense of our Nation. During his time 
as--a Congressional Legislative Liaison Officer in the office of the 
Secretary of the Army, many of us on Capitol Hill have enjoyed the 
opportunity to work with Lieutenant Colonel Wason on a wide variety of 
Army issues and programs, and it is my privilege to recognize his many 
accomplishments. I commend his superb service to the U.S. Army and this 
great Nation.
  Lieutenant Colonel John D. Wason was commissioned as a Second 
Lieutenant, Field Artillery, after graduating from California State 
University-Sacramento in 1985. His first assignment was as a Company 
Fire Support Officer, Battery Fire Direction Officer, and Battery 
Executive Officer for the 3rd Battalion, 19th Field Artillery, 5th 
Infantry Division at Ft. Polk, LA from 1985 to 1989. He commanded B 
Battery, 5th Battalion, 3rd Field Artillery in the Federal Republic of 
Germany from 1990 to 1992. Following his assignment in Germany, LTC 
Wason spent 28 months as a Recruiting Company Commander in Northern 
California from 1992 to 1994. In 1994, LTC Wason was selected as a 
member of the Army Acquisition workforce. From 1994 to 2001 LTC Wason 
served in a variety of Army Acquisition positions at White Sands 
Missile Range, NM and Picatinny Arsenal, NJ working on major Army 
weapons programs such as the Army Tactical Missiles System, Crusader, 
and the LW 155 Artillery system.
  In 2001, LTC Wason was selected as a Department of Defense 
Congressional Fellow. His selection was followed by a 1 year assignment 
working on my personal staff. Following his Fellowship, LTC Wason 
served in Programs Division, Office of the Chief of Legislative 
Liaison. Lieutenant Colonel Wason maintained a constant liaison with 
Professional Staff Members of the Senate and House Armed Services 
Committees on issues relating to Army Procurement programs focusing on 
Army Aviation, Weapons and Tracked Combat Vehicles.
  Throughout these varied and demanding assignments, Lieutenant Colonel 
Wason provided outstanding leadership, advice, and sound professional 
judgment on numerous critical issues of enduring importance to both the 
Army and Congress. John's counsel and support were invaluable to Army 
leaders and Members of Congress as they considered the impact of their 
decisions on these important issues.
  On behalf of Congress and the United States of America, I thank 
Colonel Wason, his wife Betsy, and his entire family for the 
commitment, sacrifices, and contribution that they have made throughout 
his honorable military service. I congratulate Lieutenant Colonel John 
Wason on completing an exceptional and extremely successful career, and 
wish him blessings and success in all his future endeavors.

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