[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 87 (Friday, May 25, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1169]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   TRIBUTE TO U.S. ARMY CHIEF WARRANT OFFICER CHARLIE RAY PARKER, JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JO ANN DAVIS

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 24, 2007

  Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay 
tribute to an exceptional officer in the United States Army, CWO5 
Charlie Ray Parker, Jr., upon his retirement after 40 years of 
distinguished service. Throughout his career, first as an enlisted Army 
private, then as a non-commissioned officer, and finally as a 
commissioned warrant officer, Warrant Officer Parker personified the 
seven Army values, particularly those of duty, integrity, respect, and 
selfless service across the many missions the Army asked him to 
execute. It is my privilege to recognize his many accomplishments. I 
commend his superb service to the United States Army and this great 
Nation.
  Beginning his career in March 1967, Warrant Officer Parker entered 
into active duty from the State of Virginia as an enlisted soldier. He 
achieved the rank of staff sergeant while serving as a motor sergeant 
in the First Battalion (Airborne), 325th Infantry Regiment, 82nd 
Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Staff Sergeant Parker 
served in the 82nd Airborne Division from March 1970 until receiving 
his appointment as a warrant officer in March 1977. His formula for 
success was simple, ``work hard to accomplish your mission and take 
care of your soldiers,'' a formula he still follows today.
  In June 1987, then Chief Warrant Officer 3 Parker served as the staff 
maintenance technician for the Logistic Readiness Division, 200th 
Theater Army Materiel Management Center in Zweibruecken, Germany. He 
was the principal automotive maintenance technical advisor to the 
Commander. As such, Warrant Officer Parker was singularly responsible 
for the increased readiness status in the 600 units of United States 
Army, Europe. His total dedication to this vital mission was a key to 
maintaining theater war fighting capability and allowed for the smooth 
deployment of U.S. V and VII Corps units to Operation Desert Storm in 
Southwest Asia.
  By December 2000, Warrant Officer Parker was the Plans and Training 
Development Branch Chief, managing the development, implementation, and 
evaluation of training for the Warrant Officer Candidate Course, Staff 
Course, and Senior Staff Course for active and reserve component 
Warrant Officers. He also laid the groundwork for the Warrant Officer 
Mentorship Program, which is now implemented throughout the United 
States Army. As the most senior warrant officer in the Army Ordnance 
Corps, he used his position to ensure African-American soldiers were 
provided the same opportunities due every soldier who attended Army 
Warrant Officer Career Courses. His genuine concern for the welfare and 
development of warrant officers and candidates proves an enduring 
inspiration to all.
  Most recently, as the senior evaluator for the $1.6 billion combat 
logistics support system--Global Combat Support System--Army (Field and 
Tactical), Warrant Officer Parker developed an operational test and 
evaluation strategy for the Enterprise Planning Solution designed to 
ensure enterprise elements such as supply, maintenance, property, 
finance, and task organization processes are adequately evaluated in 
accordance with public law. This new system will transform Army 
logistics by ensuring direct support of Joint Force and Army military 
operations ranging from garrison duty to expeditionary deployments, 
ultimately reducing the need for forward deployed logisticians.
  On behalf of Congress and the United States of America, I thank Chief 
Warrant Officer 5 Parker for his commitment, sacrifice, and 
contribution throughout these 40 years. I congratulate him on 
completing an exceptional and extremely successful career.

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