[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 101 (Thursday, July 27, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1570-E1571]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNITION OF LIEUTENANT COLONEL KEVIN STODDARD OF THE UNITED STATES 
                                  ARMY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. MELISSA L. BEAN

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 27, 2006

  Ms. BEAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Lieutenant 
Colonel Kevin Stoddard of the U.S. Army who is the Program Manager for 
Crew Served Weapons.
  Col. Stoddard has set a standard of excellence for himself and his 
office, constantly striving to ensure that our troops are issued the 
best equipment possible during the Global War on Terrorism. Though he 
has had many great achievements, Col. Stoddard should be recognized for 
his contributions to the Common Remotely Operated Weapon Station, or 
CROWS project.
  Col. Stoddard has had the individual responsibility for ushering this 
innovative piece of technology out of development and into the hands of 
our Soldiers. His steadfast commitment to protecting the force has 
ensured that today's standard for Humvee convoys in Iraq and 
Afghanistan is a soldier operating CROWS from behind life saving armor, 
protected from lethal IEDs and gun fire.
  Col. Stoddard used fIrsthand feedback from Soldiers to lead his 
program office and partner contractors in ensuring that the CROWS 
developed today is the technology soldiers want and need. His high 
standards of leadership and commitment to program excellence brought 
him to Iraq where he personally observed CROWS in combat to prove his 
concept and vision. Indeed, Col. Stoddard is personally responsible for 
saving the lives of many Soldiers currently deployed overseas.
  Mr. Speaker, Col. Stoddard and CROWS have truly been a force 
protection success story for the Army and our soldiers. He embodies the 
highest tenants of leadership, acquisition reform, and the Army's 
innovative rapid fielding initiative and is worthy of our commendation 
today.

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