[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 148 (Wednesday, September 17, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1815]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 IN RECOGNITION OF THE RETIREMENT OF COLONEL RAY HELTON, UNITED STATES 
                                  ARMY

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JEFF MILLER

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 17, 2008

  Mr. MILLER of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Colonel 
Ray Helton, United States Army, who is retiring after 33 years of 
dedicated service to this Nation. Colonel Helton currently serves as 
the Director of Legislative Affairs for the United States Special 
Operations Command, MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, with duty in 
Washington, DC. He is the principal advisor to the commander and senior 
USSOCOM officials on congressional affairs. In this capacity, I have 
had the pleasure and honor to come to know Ray well as we have 
travelled together on various congressional delegations.
  Colonel Helton enlisted in the Army in February 1975, completed 
Special Forces training, and served with the 10th Special Forces Group. 
After his enlistment ended, he attended the University of Illinois 
where he graduated as a distinguished military graduate. He returned to 
active duty in January 1981 as an infantry officer. His Infantry 
assignments included leading two platoons in the 3d Infantry Division 
and commanding two companies in the 101st Airborne Division. He served 
as a company commander, battalion executive officer and battalion 
commander in the 3d Special Forces Group. He has conducted training and 
operations with soldiers on five continents. Colonel Helton also served 
as the chief of assignments of the Combat Arms Division in United 
States Personnel Command, as a strategic planner and writer on the 
Joint Staff and as the Garrison Commander of Fort Drum, New York.
  Colonel Helton's military education includes the infantry officer 
basic course, airborne school, combat divers course, air assault 
school, ranger school, Special Forces qualification school, and the 
joint psychological operations course, just to name a few. He also 
received a master of arts degree in national strategy and policy from 
the Naval War College and a master of science degree in national 
resource strategy from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces.
  Madam Speaker, few can match the dedication and professionalism of 
Ray Helton. He is a man of honor and a man of principle. On behalf of 
the United States Congress, I wish to thank Ray for his years of 
dedicated service. Vicki and I wish him, his wife Jane, and their 
children and grandchildren the best wishes for continued success.

                          ____________________