[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 116 (Thursday, September 15, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Page S10115]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                  TRIBUTE TO GENERAL RICHARD B. MYERS

  Mr. ROBERTS. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize and pay tribute 
to General Richard B. Myers, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, for 
his lifetime of service and unfaltering dedication to the United States 
Armed Forces and our country.
  As both a soldier and a leader, spanning 40 years of military 
service, General Myers contributions to our peace and security, and 
that of our children and grandchildren, are a remarkable hallmark in 
military history. During trying times, under sometimes harsh scrutiny, 
and with high national security stakes at hand, General Myers has 
repeatedly shown his Kansas common sense, leading our military through 
two wars and a host of other challenges with a steady hand.
  Dick Myers was well prepared for leadership. Born in Kansas City, MO, 
in 1942, General Myers graduated from Shawnee Mission North High School 
and attended Kansas State University, where he enrolled in the Air 
Force ROTC and was commissioned second lieutenant in 1965. After his 
commissioning, General Myers entered pilot training at Vance Air Force 
Base, Oklahoma. As a command pilot, he logged over 4,000 flying hours, 
including 600 combat hours over Vietnam and Laos. Serving in a wide 
variety of assignments over the next several decades, General Myers 
assumed the duties of Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in 
March 2000.
  On October 1, 2001, just weeks after the September 11 terrorist 
attacks, General Myers was named the 15th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs 
of Staff. As the first Vice Chairman to ascend to the office, General 
Myers served as the principal military advisor to the President, the 
Secretary of Defense, and the National Security Council, and played a 
critical role in the planning and execution of the Global War on 
Terrorism, including the important Operations Noble Eagle, Enduring 
Freedom, and Iraqi Freedom.
  During General Myers tenure as the chairman, he was constantly faced 
with unique challenges and responsibilities with both frustrating and 
emotional circumstances, from the worst terrorist attacks on the United 
States in our proud history to fighting overseas wars against 
terrorists and the enemies of freedom and democracy. Yet, despite all 
of the challenges, General Myers maintained a positive, forward looking 
determination and attitude, and never faltered in his responsibility to 
our men and women serving in the armed forces today.
  General Myers' tenure and accomplishments were not limited to the 
Global War on Terrorism, including operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. 
Under General Myers' leadership, the Joint Staff produced a far-
reaching National Military Strategy, complemented by a National 
Military Strategic Plan for the War on Terrorism, to guide the Armed 
Forces for the challenges of the 21st Century. This strategy serves as 
a template for the Global War on Terrorism, and was and will be truly 
instrumental in bringing freedom to the people of Iraq and Afghanistan.
  General Myers also oversaw the establishment of the United States 
Northern Command, or NORTHCOM, the first combatant command responsible 
for the homeland defense of the continental United States. As part of 
this effort, the chairman advocated joint war fighting among the 
services and called on the entire U.S. Government to expand the culture 
of jointness in the interagency and international communities. General 
Myers has truly shown great leadership in his efforts to transform and 
modernize the military.
  General Myers should also be recognized for his humanitarian role--a 
mission many times missing from the headlines. In late 2004, in 
response to the horrific events surrounding the Indian Ocean Tsunami, 
General Myers oversaw ``Operation Unified Assistance'', the largest 
coordinated and executed military humanitarian relief effort since the 
Berlin Air Lift. Designed to enable more than 15,000 Department of 
Defense personnel, 130 aircraft, and 20 United States Navy warships to 
distribute more than 400,000 gallons of water, 2,000 tons of food, and 
almost 3,000 tons of other supplies to those in need, the mission was a 
success.
  General Myers' impeccable service and brave leadership are also 
reflected in the awards and decorations he has received throughout his 
career. General Myers is the recipient of the Defense Distinguished 
Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Distinguished Service Medal, 
Legion of Merit, Distinguish Flying Cross with oak leaf cluster, 
Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters, Air Medal with 
eighteen oak leaf clusters, Air Force Commendation Medal, Joint 
Meritorious Unit Award with four oak leaf clusters, and Air Force 
Outstanding Unit Award with ``V'' device with three oak leaf clusters.
  Mr. President, today I have mentioned but a few of General Richard 
Myers' numerous accomplishments. I not only consider General Myers a 
strong military leader, in times of both war and peace, and a 
critically important person in the defense of our great Nation, I am 
privileged to call him a friend and a colleague. I have often said that 
if I were in a gunfight on Front Street in Dodge City, KS, during our 
States' pioneer days, there is no person I would rather have by my side 
than Richard Myers. I know that a grateful Nation shares my 
appreciation for the general--a courageous and honorable man and a 
strong and steadfast military leader during a truly trying time, and I 
know my colleagues join me in paying tribute to him and his wife Mary 
Jo for the years they have dedicated to our country and to the 
betterment of the United States Armed Forces. General Myers, we wish 
you well.

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