[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 114 (Tuesday, September 13, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1823-E1824]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




TRIBUTE TO COL CHARLES S. SERIO, MSC, USA, PH.D., ON HIS RETIREMENT AS 
 BRIGADE COMMANDER OF THE UNIFORMED SERVICES UNIVERSITY OF THE HEALTH 
                                SERVICES

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CHRIS VAN HOLLEN

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 13, 2005

  Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to thank Charles S. Serio, 
COL, MSC, USA, Ph.D, Brigade Commander of the Uniformed Services 
University of the Health Sciences, USUHS for his tremendous service to 
our country. On September 7,2005, Colonel Serio marked the end of eight 
years of service at USUHS, and concluded a 37-year career of Federal 
service.
  Colonel Serio was born on August 26, 1946, and graduated from his 
home-state University of Mississippi with a Bachelor of Science Degree 
in Biology, in 1969. He earned his Master Degree in 1973 and completed 
his Doctoral Degree in Immunology in 1975. He is a graduate of the 
Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.
  Among his numerous awards and decorations are the Defense Superior 
Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal with three Oak Leaf 
Clusters, the Joint Service Achievement Medal, the Army Achievement 
Medal, the Joint Meritorious Unit Award, the Army Superior Unit Award, 
the National Defense Service Award, and the Global War on Terrorism 
Service Medal. Colonel Serio has also earned the following badges, 
which denote operational expertise: Airborne, Air Assault, Expert Field 
Medical, and German Troop Proficiency Duty, Gold.
  He was awarded the ``A'' Proficiency Designator in Immunology by the 
Army Surgeon General, the highest award given in recognition of 
professional accomplishment by the United States Army Medical 
Department. He was also selected as a member of the ``Order of the 
Military Medical Merit,'' which denotes distinguished service as 
recognized by the senior leadership of the Army Medical Department. 
Colonel Serio is the author of numerous scientific publications in 
immunology and radiobiology in both national and international 
journals.
  His career includes positions of responsibility such as: the 
Detachment Commander, 330th General Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee; 
Clinical Laboratory Officer and Bacteriologist with the 326th Medical 
Detachment, 801st General Hospital, Chicago, Illinois; Chief of the 
Immunology Branch, William Beaumont Army Medical Center, El Paso, 
Texas; Microbiology Consultant to the Commanding General, 7th MEDCOM; 
Staff Officer and Manager of Science and Technology, Medical Research 
and Material Command, Fort Detrick, Maryland; and, Associate Professor, 
Department of Chemistry, United States Military Academy, West Point, 
New York.
  In June of 1997, Colonel Serio was selected to serve as the 4th 
Brigade Commander at USUHS. As the Brigade Commander, Colonel Serio was 
recognized as the senior officer of the University with responsibility 
for command of over 1,000 members of the USUHS Brigade, representing 
the United States Army, Navy, Air Force, and Public Health Service. 
Colonel Serio served as the senior military advisor to the President of 
USUHS for 8 years. During his service as the USUHS Brigade Commander, 
he became an invaluable asset as a role model, teacher and mentor to 
over 1,500 uniformed medical, nursing, and graduate students. Colonel 
Serio provided lectures to the USUHS medical and nursing students in 
pathophysiology, immunology, biological warfare, and military 
leadership. He created a recognized Brigade command structure and 
curriculum in support of the USUHS mission, implemented military unique 
and significant programs and internationally recognized field training 
exercises, annually coordinated the USUHS graduation ceremonies, 
monitored the USUHS strategic goal on military leadership development, 
and annually exceeded the University's goals in the Combined Federal 
Campaigns.
  His longstanding role as a soldier, scientist, educator, and leader 
in both undergraduate and graduate education has supported and ensured 
medical readiness during more than one global conflict. USUHS is 
recognized as the most cost-effective and qualified source for the 
recruitment and development of uniformed officers who will hold 
significant leadership and operational positions throughout the 
Military Health System. Colonel Serio can be assured that his influence 
and leadership have greatly assisted the future patients and command 
officers who will be served by the

[[Page E1824]]

uniquely trained USUHS graduates--physicians, advanced practice nurses, 
and scientists. The University fulfills a critical core requirement for 
medical readiness in the Department of Defense; and, Colonel Serio has 
greatly contributed to the preparation of dedicated, career-oriented 
uniformed officers who will care for those who are sent into harm's 
way.
  I take this opportunity to thank COL Charles Serio for his tremendous 
dedication and love for our Nation and wish him well as he retires to 
begin his next demanding career as a grandfather to his five 
grandchildren along with his three daughters, Shanna, Jada and Tara, 
and his wife, the former Belva L. McCormick.

                          ____________________