[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 66 (Wednesday, May 24, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E957]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     HONORING LTC JOHNNY M. SUMMERS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JIM GIBBONS

                               of nevada

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 24, 2006

  Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to 
recognize Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) Johnny M. Summers, Outgoing 
Commander, Hawthorne Army Depot located in Hawthorne, Nevada. LTC 
Summers took command of the Depot in June of 2004. On May 13, 2005, the 
Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) Commission recommended closing the 
Depot. Soon afterward, Hawthorne realized an ``Army of One'' is all you 
really need.
  From the onset, LTC Summers realized the selection criteria used for 
recommendation to close Hawthorne had significant flaws. He maintained 
that it would be a strategic mistake to close the depot due to its 
significant storage capability, highly skilled workforce, combat 
terrain training opportunities, and modern reprocessing facilities.
  LTC Summers ensured that BRAC Commissioners were provided with the 
correct data, which countered the recommendation to close the Depot. 
Thanks in large part to the accurate information provided by LTC 
Summers, the Commissioners and their colleagues understood the mistakes 
and the true value the Depot provides the United States Department of 
Defense.
  Thanks to LTC Summers' tireless efforts, the BRAC Commission agreed 
the evidence presented showed the Hawthorne Army Depot has great 
economic and strategic significance that justify keeping it open. His 
efforts were certainly instrumental in our success.
  I commend this great commander upon his retirement from the United 
States Army on September 30, 2006, for his exceptional, dedicated 
service to the Hawthorne Army Depot, the great State of Nevada and our 
country. I extend to him my best wishes for continued excellence in his 
future endeavors.
  Thank you, Lieutenant Colonel Summers, for your time and service.




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