[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 50 (Tuesday, May 2, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E674]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  TRIBUTE TO COLONEL SHARON B. WRIGHT, UNITED STATES AIR FORCE NURSE 
                CORPS, ON THE OCCASION OF HER RETIREMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. HENRY E. BROWN, JR.

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                          Tuesday, May 2, 2006

  Mr. BROWN of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition 
of a great American and a true military heroine who has honorably 
served our country for 26 years in the Air Force Nurse Corps: Colonel 
Sharon B. Wright. Colonel Wright has a long history with the Air Force. 
She was born at Travis Air Force Base, CA and graduated from Hillcrest 
High School, Sumter, South Carolina when her father, Chief Master 
Sergeant Edward J. Wright, was stationed at Shaw Air Force Base, South 
Carolina. Colonel Wright followed the career path of her father, a 30-
year Air Force Chief, and her mother, a Licensed Practical Nurse, both 
natives and current residents of Charleston, South Carolina. In 1980, 
she was commissioned through ROTC, and she was then assigned to Mather 
Air Force Base, California. Experienced and desiring to make a 
difference, she next served at Kunsan Air Base, Korea and Langley Air 
Force Base, Virginia, where she deployed to Honduras with the U.S. 
Army.
  In each assignment she excelled and was rewarded with greater 
responsibilities and opportunities. In 1988, she became the Chief, 
Nurse Recruiting Branch, at Gunter Air Force Base, Alabama. A proven 
leader, she was the Top Recruiter in 1988 and 1991, and she received 
the Recruiting Standard of Excellence award in 1990. In 1991, she 
assumed duties as the Coordinator of Maternal Health Services at Dover 
Air Force Base, Delaware. In 1994, Colonel Wright was assigned to 
Randolph Air Force Base, Texas, as a Nurse Utilization Officer. During 
her tenure she completed over 2000 assignments, managed five commands, 
and maintained staff levels at an unprecedented 95-plus percent.
  In 1998 Colonel Wright assumed her first command at Incirlik Air 
Base, Turkey. As the Squadron Commander, she also assumed the roles as 
the Chief Nurse Executive and Deputy Group Commander. Incirlik 
presented significant challenges. Three weeks after arrival, a 
devastating 6.3 earthquake hit. Colonel Wright took charge as the on-
scene Medical Group Commander. After her stellar performance at 
Incirlik, she went on to her second assignment as Squadron Commander at 
Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas in 1999. Her astute leadership led to 
her appointment as Deputy Program Executive Officer at the Joint 
Medical Information Systems Office and Force Development Program 
Manager at the Office of the Surgeon General, at Bolling Air Force 
Base, Washington, DC.
  Colonel Wright's last assignment brought her back to Texas as the 
Chief, Nurse Utilization and Education Branch, Randolph Air Force Base, 
Texas. In this position, she was responsible for managing assignments, 
career progression, and sponsored educational opportunities for 3,700 
Air Force Nurses. Colonel Wright is a meritorious leader, 
administrator, clinician, educator, and mentor. Throughout her career, 
she has served with valor and profoundly impacted the entire Air Force 
Medical Service. Her performance reflects exceptionally on herself, the 
United States Air Force, the Department of Defense, and the United 
States of America. I extend my deepest appreciation on behalf of a 
grateful nation for her over 26 years of dedicated military service. 
Congratulations, Colonel Sharon B. Wright. I wish you Godspeed.

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