[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 30 (Friday, February 13, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E283]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     HONORING COMMANDER CONSTANTINE TSOUKATOS OF OAK LAWN, ILLINOIS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DANIEL LIPINSKI

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, February 13, 2009

  Mr. LIPINSKI. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Commander 
Constantine Tsoukatos on the occasion of his promotion to Commander of 
the 314th Maintenance Operations Squadron.
   Commander Tsoukatos was raised by his parents Helen and Emanuel 
Tsoukatos in Oak Lawn, IL. In Oak Lawn, Constantine attended Richards 
High School, before moving on to the University of Illinois where he 
studied Engineering Mechanics. Upon receiving his Bachelor's degree, 
Constantine continued his schooling and obtained his Master's degree in 
Human Resource Development from Webster University in 1999.
   Constantine began his service in 1997 when he was commissioned as a 
second lieutenant following Officer Training School. Serving as an 
aircraft maintenance officer, he has held a variety of flightline and 
backshop positions. His first tour began at Scott AFB, on the C-9 
Aircraft. Commander Tsoukatos then taught in the Reserve Officer 
Training Corps as an Assistant Professor of Aerospace Studies at 
Detachment 560, Manhattan College in Bronx, New York, where he also 
served as the Commandant of Cadets. He was next stationed at Osan AB, 
ROK, serving both as maintenance flight commander and then as the A-10 
AMU IOC. Commander Tsoukatos spent the following 3 years at RAF 
Mildenhall with the 100th Air Refueling Wing, before moving to his 
current position within HQ AFMC in June of 2006.
   Commander Tsoukatos has been recognized previously with the 
following commendations: the Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Force 
Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters, the Air Force 
Outstanding Unit Award with three oak leaf clusters, the National 
Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and 
the Korean Defense Service Medal.
   Aside from his military service to our nation, Commander Tsoukatos 
is dedicated to his family as a loving father and husband. He and his 
wife, Jazmin, have two sons, Manuel and Joaquin and one daughter, 
Gabriela.
   Today, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the outstanding 
service and achievements of Commander Constantine Tsoukatos. We 
acknowledge his accomplishments and express our gratitude for his 
dedicated service.

                          ____________________