[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 122 (Tuesday, September 26, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1834]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      HONORING COL. ROBERT TOVADO

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. LEE TERRY

                              of nebraska

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 26, 2006

  Mr. TERRY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the service of Colonel 
Robert R. Tovado, the Commander of University of Nebraska Lincoln Air 
Force ROTC Detachment 465, who is retiring after three decades of 
service in the United States Air Force.
  Colonel Tovado entered the Air Force in 1976 through AFROTC at the 
University of Northern Colorado. Since that time, he has served 
American in almost every major operation U.S. forces have been engaged 
in around the world. During his career, the Colonel has served in 
Operations Just Cause, Restore Hope, Sea Signal, Desert Strike, Desert 
Focus, Joint Guard, and Southern Watch.
  Prior to his time in Nebraska, Colonel Tovado worked for General 
Tommy Franks as the Director of Manpower and Personnel at United States 
Central Command and he served as the Coalition/Joint Director of 
Manpower and Personnel deployed to Operations Enduring Freedom and 
Iraqi Freedom.
  Since his arrival at the University of Nebraska, Colonel Tovado has 
taken his valuable military experience and applied it to his teaching 
and building of America's next generation of great leaders. During his 
tenure in Lincoln, the Colonel has led his staff and students in 
providing over 4,000 volunteer hours in support of a plethora of 
community service organizations for the betterment of Nebraska and her 
citizens.
  Furthermore, he has helped countless students pursue their academic 
dreams by his efforts in bringing over two million dollars in 
scholarship money to the University of Nebraska. Under his command, UNL 
Air Force ROTC Detachment 465 was named the Right of Line Award winner 
for 2005 for the best Air Force ROTC Detachment in the nation. 
Furthermore, in 2005 Detachment 465 was also home to the Number One 
cadet in the nation. This marks the first time an Air Force ROTC 
detachment has received both awards during the same year and is a 
reflection of the work and leadership of Colonel Tovado.
  Over the last three years of Colonel Tovado's tenure, 77 new 
lieutenants, including one of my former congressional staff members, 
have been commissioned into the United States Air Force. As I have been 
informed, the Colonel inspired and taught all of these great young men 
and women what it meant to be the best in the nation. These 77 young 
officers are now serving all across our globe defending America for 
future generations. This is perhaps the greatest legacy of Colonel 
Robert R. Tovado.
  In closing, I join all Americans in wishing Colonel Tovado, his wife 
Wendy, and his family, heartfelt thanks on behalf of a grateful nation 
for his dedication and service to freedom.

                          ____________________