[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 89 (Tuesday, July 11, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1365]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      PAYING TRIBUTE TO COMMAND SERGEANT MAJOR JOSEPH LAPLANTE, JR

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JON C. PORTER

                               of nevada

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 11, 2006

  Mr. PORTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Command Sergeant Major 
Joseph LaPlante Jr., who will retire on July 21, 2006, after 29 years 
of service in the United States Army.
  Born in Worcester, Massachusetts, Command Sergeant Major LaPlante 
completed his basic training and advanced individual training at Fort 
Jackson, South Carolina, and Fort Sill, Oklahoma in September, 1977. He 
then served as a Fire Support Specialist, Armorer, and Career Counselor 
for the B Battery's 1st Battalion, 29th Field Artillery from 1978 to 
1980 at Fort Carson, Colorado.
  In October 1981, Command Sergeant Major LaPlante completed the Army 
Recruiter Course and was assigned as a Field Recruiter to the New 
Bedford, Massachusetts, Boston Recruiting Battalion. In April of 1984, 
he was the Station Commander of the Fall River Recruiting Battalion. In 
July of 2000, Command Sergeant Major was selected to attend the United 
States Sergeant Major Academy, Class 51, at Fort Bliss, Texas. On June 
25, 2001, he assumed the position of Command Sergeant Major of the New 
England Recruiting Battalion.
  After 27 years of service, Sergeant Major LaPlante assumed the 
position of the 6th Recruiting Brigade Command Sergeant Major in Las 
Vegas, Nevada.
  Command Sergeant Major LaPlante has received many awards including 
the Gold Recruiter Badge with three Star Sapphires, the Recruiter Ring, 
the Glenn E. Morrell Award, the Career Counselor Badge, the Army 
Achievement Medal 3rd Award, the Army Commendation Medal 3rd Award, the 
Army Meritorious Service Medal 7th Award, Legion of Merit 2nd Award, 
National Defense Service Medal, the Non-commissioned Officer 
Professional Development with Numeral #4, the Army Service Medal, the 
Army Good Conduct 8th Award, and the Army Superior Unit Citation 2nd 
Award.
  To add to all of his outstanding accomplishments, Command Sergeant 
Major LaPlante has a wonderful family including his wife, Patti, and 
his daughters, Crystal and Heather.
  Mr. Speaker, I am proud to honor Command Sergeant Major Joseph 
LaPlante, Jr. for his distinguished record of service and his 
commitment to the United States Army. I wish him the best in his 
retirement and all future endeavors.

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