[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 97 (Friday, June 15, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1316]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 TRIBUTE TO COLONEL JAMES F. KING, JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JACK KINGSTON

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, June 15, 2007

  Mr. KINGSTON. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to an 
exceptional officer of the United States Army, Colonel James F. King, 
Jr., upon his retirement after more than 20 years of distinguished 
service to our Nation.
  I came to know Colonel Jim King in 2001 when he was selected as an 
Army Congressional Fellow, and became my Military Legislative Assistant 
during the historic year following the tragic events of September 11th. 
Our Nation was still recovering from the attacks, and we were thrust 
into the war against terror in Afghanistan. Jim handled all my National 
Defense matters during this very challenging time in our Nation's 
history, and he did an outstanding job.
  Prior to becoming a Congressional Fellow, Colonel King had a long and 
distinguished career in the Army. After graduating from Georgia State 
University in 1985, he attended the United States Army Officer 
Candidate School at Fort Benning, Georgia and was commissioned as a 
Second Lieutenant. After his initial assignment as a Second Lieutenant, 
he was selected to attend Flight School at Fort Rucker, Alabama, and 
was the Honor Graduate of his class.
  Following flight school in 1988, Colonel King served in many command 
and staff positions worldwide. He served in Korea where he flew 
helicopter missions in and out of the DMZ. Later he served in Germany 
where he flew aerial reconnaissance missions along the former East 
German border, and directly contributed to our Nation's Cold War 
victory. Upon return from Germany, Colonel King served at Hunter Army 
Airfield in Savannah, Georgia and supported Operation Uphold Democracy 
in Haiti, and flew reconnaissance missions against Cuba.
  In 1995 Colonel King was assigned to the Army's Operational Support 
Airlift Command where he served in numerous leadership positions 
coordinating operations and training for over 80 subordinate units 
throughout the globe, and orchestrating uninterrupted airlift support 
for Theater Commanders in Saudi Arabia and Bosnia. He was then selected 
for C-20 Gulfstream jet training in Savannah, Georgia, before taking 
Command of the Army's elite jet detachment in Hawaii. While in command, 
Colonel King successfully managed a complex split-based operation, 
providing Humanitarian support in East Timor, while simultaneously 
providing worldwide airlift support to senior military and civilian 
leaders throughout Pacific Command (PACOM).
  Following his command in the Pacific, Colonel King returned to 
Washington where he served as an aviation staff officer, and helped 
develop the Army's fixed-wing doctrine and future cargo airplane 
requirements. Colonel King was then selected for the Army Congressional 
Fellowship Program where he served as my Military Legislative 
Assistant. Following his Fellowship, Colonel King served as the Deputy 
Chief of Legislative Liaison at National Guard Bureau, and then as 
Deputy Chief for Reserve Affairs at Army Congressional Liaison in the 
Pentagon.
  During his time as a Congressional Legislative Liaison, Colonel King 
provided outstanding leadership, advice, and sound professional 
judgment on numerous critical issues of enduring importance to both the 
Army and the Congress. Jim's counsel and support were invaluable to 
Army leaders and Members of Congress as they considered the impact of 
their decisions on these important issues, and it is my privilege to 
recognize his many contributions. I commend his superb service to the 
United States Army and our great Nation.
  On behalf of Congress and the United States of America, I thank 
Colonel Jim King, his wife Cindy, and his entire family for the 
commitment, sacrifices, and contributions that they have made 
throughout his honorable military service. I congratulate Colonel Jim 
King on completing an exceptional and extremely successful military 
career, and wish him blessings and success in all his future endeavors.

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