[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 141 (Monday, September 8, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1713]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       ON THE RETIREMENT OF LIEUTENANT COLONEL DONALD S. CHAMPION

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. ROSCOE G. BARTLETT

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 8, 2008

  Mr. BARTLETT of Maryland. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize 
the career and achievements of a great military officer and constituent 
of the Sixth District of Maryland--LTC Donald S. Champion. After over 
29 years of long and distinguished service Colonel Champion will retire 
from his present position as Chief, Congressional Outreach Program in 
the Office of Air Force Reserve, Policy Integration Directorate, AF/
REI, Pentagon, Washington DC. For the past 3 years Colonel Champion has 
been responsible for all legislative outreach as well as all 
legislative matters concerning Reserve Plans and Programs and 
Operations for the Air Force Reserve and Air Force Reserve Command.
  Colonel Champion graduated from Virginia Polytechnic Institute & 
State University receiving a bachelor of arts degree in communications 
and public relations. He was commissioned a second lieutenant in 1979. 
He attended undergraduate navigator training at Mather Air Force Base, 
California. Following graduation he attended F-4 Replacement Training 
Unit at Homestead Air Force Base, Florida, where he was a distinguished 
graduate. In 1984 he was selected to attend undergraduate pilot 
training at Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas.
  After earning his wings he attended lead-in fighter training at 
Hollman Air Force Base, New Mexico, where he was selected as Air to Air 
Top Gun. He was assigned to Langley Air Force Base, Virginia following 
training to fly the F-15C. There he served as a flight commander. He 
returned to the training world where he served as a T-37 Instructor 
Pilot at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas. He went on to become a T-38 
instructor pilot at Columbus Air Force Base, Mississippi.
  Throughout his distinguished career, Colonel Champion was 
consistently recognized for his outstanding performance and dedication 
to duty. For the past 3 years Colonel Champion has served as a liaison 
to the United States Congress where he well and faithfully represented 
the Air Force Reserve to the House and Senate. He was personally 
helpful to me and my staff during his tenure on the Reserve Staff at 
the Pentagon. His military awards include the Meritorious Service Medal 
with one oak leaf cluster and the Air Force Commendation Medal with two 
oak leaf clusters.
  On behalf of a grateful Nation, I thank Colonel Champion, and his 
daughters Kelsey and Lindsay, for their commitment and sacrifices made 
throughout his honorable military career. Congratulations on completing 
an outstanding and successful career in service to our great Country.

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