[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 185 (Wednesday, December 10, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Page S10879]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

                                 ______
                                 

  TRIBUTE TO COLONEL LISA LEONARD AND LIEUTENANT COLONEL RANDY JOHNSON

   Mr. BOND. Madam President, we all know it would be 
impossible to do our jobs without the assistance of many dedicated 
professionals staffing the legislative liaison offices for all branches 
of the U.S. Armed Forces.
  Today, I pay tribute to COL Lisa Leonard and LTC Randy Johnson who 
joined the National Guard Bureau's Office of Legislative Liaison as the 
Army and Air Liaison Officers and together collectively served 12 years 
and are now, unfortunately for us, retiring at the same time.
  Colonel Leonard and Lieutenant Colonel Johnson have served 
competently and well at a pivotal time in the history of the National 
Guard. Now, more than ever, America relies on the National Guard both 
at home and abroad. Since 9/11 more than 200,000 Guard troops have left 
their homes, their jobs, and their families to participate in the 
global war on terror. The National Guard has provided as much as half 
of the combat force and 40 percent of the total force in Iraq. Guard 
troops are also called upon to respond to natural disasters at home 
like Hurricanes Gustav and Ike. Understanding these dual missions is a 
job in itself.
  During Lisa and Randy's tenure, the National Guard has also had to 
weather a controversial base realignment and closure, BRAC, round and 
several other major legislative battles concerning relative troop 
strength, equipment levels and the ability of the Guard to participate 
in major Pentagon decisions.
  Lisa's and Randy's contributions to the Senate began with their 
natural ability to establish personal relationships with staff while 
telling the story of the National Guard. They earned the respect of 
Members and staff on both sides of the aisle with their expertise, 
strong work ethic, and dedication to the job.
  These are truly the unsung heroes of the legislative process, 
faithfully providing information, expertise, and analysis on behalf of 
the National Guard on myriad national security and homeland security 
issues.
  We wish them both well in their well-earned retirement from Active 
Duty and from this assignment. They will be missed.

                          ____________________