[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 103 (Friday, June 20, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1304-E1305]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         RECOGNIZING THE SERVICE OF COLONEL RAYMOND G. MIDKIFF

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOHN A. YARMUTH

                              of kentucky

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, June 20, 2008

  Mr. YARMUTH. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the outstanding 
service of COL Raymond G. Midkiff, who has served as commander of the 
Louisville District, Corps of Engineers since July 2005. Colonel 
Midkiff will retire from active duty with the U.S. Army on September 1 
of this year, with over 26 years of dedicated service to our Nation.
  Born in Dayton, Ohio, and raised in Texas, Colonel Midkiff was 
commissioned in the Corps of Engineers upon graduation from Texas A&M 
University where he earned a degree in agricultural engineering. 
Colonel Midkiff completed his graduate studies at Murray State 
University receiving a masters of science degree in environmental 
management. During his military career, Colonel Midkiff's leadership, 
vision, and dedication to duty have contributed significantly to the 
national defense, economic prosperity, and quality of life for our 
citizens.
  As commander of the Corps of Engineers' Louisville District, Colonel 
Midkiff oversaw Army, Air Force, and DOD military construction projects 
valued in excess of $1.2 billion annually. Major military installations 
supported include, Fort Campbell and Fort Knox in Kentucky, Scott Air 
Force Base near St. Louis, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton as 
well as Army and Air Force Reserve facilities nationwide. Additionally, 
Colonel Midkiff has been responsible for comprehensive water resources 
and project operations in 76,000 square miles of the Ohio River 
watershed, providing flood damage reduction, ecosystem restoration, and 
commercial navigation.
  Colonel Midkiff extended his leadership well beyond the assigned 
missions of the Corps of Engineers by personally participating in 
regional events and promoting a strong partnership between Army and 
civilian engineers. As current president of the Society of American 
Military Engineers Kentuckiana Post, Colonel Midkiff hosted the 2007 
Louisville District Open House, attended by over 400 people, and the 
2007 Kentuckiana Post Small Business Workshop attended by over 200 
small businesses. Upon his arrival in the Louisville District Colonel 
Midkiff initiated the district's annual small business workshop which 
was instrumental in awarding $344 million under the Small Business 
Program in FY07.
  Prior assignments also reflect Colonel Midkiff's commitment to 
military readiness and willingness to share his considerable talents 
for the good of others. Colonel Midkiff has served in a variety of 
troop and facility assignments that had a tremendous impact on the 
support of the Army during peace and war. He began his military career 
overseas as an engineer platoon leader in an atomic demolitions 
munitions company. He also served as an assistant operations officer 
during his tour in Germany. He served as an engineer battalion 
logistics officer, company commander, and facility engineer with the 
326th Engineer Battalion. During his time with the 326th Engineer

[[Page E1305]]

Battalion he deployed with the battalion to Saudi Arabia and was 
instrumental in preparing base camps necessary to support the heavy 
inflow of soldiers and equipment into the region prior to the 
commencement of Desert Storm. He was a project officer and the deputy 
commander for the Ft. Worth District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. He 
was assigned to the 1st Infantry Division, Fort Riley, Kansas, where he 
was the engineer group logistics officer, 1st Engineer Battalion 
operations officer, and executive officer. He also served as secretary 
to the general staff for the 1st Infantry Division commander as well as 
the installation's director of public works. Colonel Midkiff commanded 
the Albuquerque District, where he was instrumental in working with 
State and local sponsors in the management of critical water resources 
and endangered habitat along the Rio Grande River from Colorado through 
New Mexico and into Texas. He also provided outstanding support to our 
Air Force customers with design and construction services at the three 
Air Force bases located in New Mexico. He again served our Nation 
overseas as the chief of plans and operations for engineer activities 
in support of 8th Army in Korea.
  His leadership has truly been visionary. His accomplishments will 
have lasting impacts on our Nation's water resources and construction 
support for military customers for years to come.
  A good neighbor and valued steward of our defense assets and natural 
resources, I am proud to honor Colonel Midkiff for his spirit of 
service, patriotism, and dedication to our Nation. On the occasion of 
his retirement, I know my colleagues will want to join me in extending 
wishes of continued success and happiness to Colonel Midkiff, his wife 
Tammy, and their daughter Rae.

                          ____________________