[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 11 (Thursday, January 24, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Pages S278-S279]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  RETIREMENT OF COLONEL BARBARA BRUNO

 Mr. INOUYE. Mr. President, I would like to recognize a great 
American and a true military hero who has honorably served our country 
for 26 years in the Army and Army Nurse Corps: COL Barbara J. Bruno has 
a true passion for nursing and served in a variety of clinical nursing 
and leadership positions at various Army medical facilities.
  Her tremendous leadership skills led to her selection for long-term 
schooling to obtain an advanced degree in nursing and subsequent 
selection for director of the operation room nurse course. Colonel 
Bruno served with distinction in a series of senior leadership 
positions as Army nurse corps staff officer, AMEDD personnel proponency 
directorate, chief nurse, 30th Medical Brigade deputy commander for 
nursing, chief nurse 67th Combat Support Hospital personnel management 
officer, and chief, perioperative nursing services. In every 
circumstance, Colonel Bruno was recognized for her clinical excellence 
and loyal, dedicated, and stellar leadership.
  In 2004, Colonel Bruno was appointed the deputy chief of the Army 
Nurse Corps. As deputy chief, Colonel Bruno developed and implemented 
policies and procedures that affected nearly 35,000 nursing personnel 
throughout the Army. She spearheaded several recruitment and retention 
initiatives to include the Funded Nurse Education Program, the 
Professional Nurse Education Program, the Registered Nurse First Assist 
Program, and increased capacity for the Army Enlisted Commissioning 
Program. Her tenacity also led to additional recruitment options and 
incentive pays to retain our highly qualified nurse officers. As chair 
of the Federal Nursing Service Council, she sponsored the development 
of a Federal nursing research model that focused on improved soldier 
readiness and patient care outcomes.
  Colonel Bruno's accomplishments are eloquent testimony to her talent, 
dedication, loyalty, and determination to see that the best possible 
nursing care is always available to our soldiers, their family members, 
and our deserving retirees. Colonel Bruno has established a legacy of 
superior performance to be emulated by all, and her performance 
reflects greatly on herself, the U.S. Army, the Department of Defense, 
and the United States of America. I extend my deepest appreciation on 
behalf

[[Page S279]]

of a grateful nation for her dedicated service.
  Congratulations to COL Barbara J. Bruno. I wish her Godspeed.

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