[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 130 (Friday, October 7, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Page S11302]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              IN HONOR OF MAJOR GENERAL STEPHEN R. LORENZ

 Mr. ALLARD. Mr. President, I would like to take a moment today 
to recognize one of the finest Air Force officers on active duty, MG 
Stephen R. Lorenz. On September 6, General Lorenz left his present 
position as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Budget to become Special 
Assistant to the Air Force Chief of Staff. During his time in 
Washington, and especially with regard to his work on Capitol Hill, 
General Lorenz personified the Air Force core values of integrity 
first, service before self and excellence in all things. Many Members 
and staff enjoyed the opportunity to work with him on a variety of Air 
Force issues and came to appreciate his many talents. Today it is my 
privilege to recognize some of Steve's many accomplishments since he 
entered the military 32 years ago, and to commend him for the superb 
service he provided the Air Force, Congress, and our Nation.
  Steve Lorenz earned a bachelor's degree in international affairs from 
the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1973 and attended undergraduate pilot 
training at Craig Air Force Base, AL. From 1975 to 1980, he flew the 
EC-135 as aircraft commander at Ellsworth AFB, SD, and over the course 
of later assignments to Wright-Patterson AFB, OH, and Castle AFB, CA, 
attained the qualification of KC-135 instructor pilot. General Lorenz 
demonstrated his skill as an aviator in the T-37, T-38, T-39, UV-18, 
EC-135A/G/C, KC-135A/R, KC-10A, and C-141B aircraft. He is a command 
pilot with over 3,300 hours of flying time.
  From early in his career, General Lorenz's exceptional leadership 
skills were evident to superiors and subordinates alike as he 
repeatedly proved himself in numerous select command positions. He has 
commanded an air refueling squadron, the 93rd Air Refueling Squadron, 
Castle AFB, CA, a geographically separated operations group, the 398th 
Operations Group, Castle AFB, CA and holds the distinct honor of four 
Wing commands; the 22nd Air Refueling Wing, March AFB, CA, the 722nd 
Air Refueling Wing, March AFB, CA, the 305th Air Mobility Wing, McGuire 
AFB, NJ, and the 34th Training Wing, United States Air Force Academy, 
Colorado Springs, CO, as the Commandant of Cadets. Under his command, 
two of those wings were recognized and honored as the ``Best Wings'' in 
their respective numbered Air Forces.
  Steve Lorenz excelled in a variety of key staff assignments. These 
include serving as Director of Plans and Programs, Headquarters U.S. 
Air Forces in Europe; Chief, European and North Atlantic Treaty 
Organization Policy Branch, European Division, Directorate of Strategic 
Plans and Policy on the Joint Staff; Chief, Northeast Asia Branch, Far 
East/South Asia Division, Directorate of Strategic Plans and Policy on 
the Joint Staff; and Deputy Chief Senate Liaison Office. General Lorenz 
is also a published author providing articles to military journals on 
Leadership and the Air Force resource allocation process.
  During his service to the 107th, 108th, and 109th Congresses, General 
Lorenz served as our principal budget liaison with the Air Force, 
providing clear, concise, and timely information on issues affecting 
sustainment, modernization and readiness of our airmen. Most 
importantly, he proved an essential conduit between appropriators in 
Congress and frontline combat operations during Operation Iraqi 
Freedom, Operation Noble Eagle, and the global war on terrorism. In his 
4 years as Director of Budget, he developed, advocated, and executed 
over $37 billion of warfighter requirements through supplemental 
appropriations. General Lorenz's leadership, professionalism, and 
expertise enabled him to foster exceptional rapport between the Air 
Force and the Senate, and enabled Congress to better understand Air 
Force priorities and programs.
  I was pleased the President nominated and the Senate confirmed 
General Lorenz for his third star with assignment as Commander, Air 
University, Air Education and Training Command, Maxwell Air Force Base, 
AL. This higher grade and command are exceptionally well deserved. I 
offer my congratulations to him, his wife Leslie, and children, Tracy, 
Stephen, and Kelly. The Congress and country applaud the selfless 
commitment of his entire family to the Nation in supporting Steve's 
military career.
  I know I speak for my colleagues in expressing my heartfelt 
appreciation to GEN Stephen Lorenz. He is a credit to both the Air 
Force and to the United States. We wish our friend the very best and 
are confident of his continued success in a new command.

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