[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 48 (Thursday, March 19, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E725-E726]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               TRIBUTE TO COLONEL CHRISTOPHER E. O'CONNER

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                          HON. DARRELL E. ISSA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 19, 2009

  Mr. ISSA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor and pay tribute to an 
individual whose dedication and contributions to the United States 
Marine Corps are exceptional. Our country has been fortunate to have 
dynamic and dedicated leaders who willingly and unselfishly give their 
time and talent to keep this country free and safe. United States 
Marine Colonel Christopher E. O'Connor is one of these individuals. On 
April 2, 2009, a retirement ceremony honoring Col. O'Connor will be 
held in Miramar, California. As a thirty year service veteran, Col. 
O'Connor deserves our thanks and gratitude as we honor him for his 
distinguished career.
  Following his commission through the NROTC Program at the University 
of Rochester and his education at the Communications and Electronics 
School at MCAGCC Twenty-nine Palms, Col. O'Connor has served in many 
capacities over the years. The Marine Air Support Squadron where he 
served as an Air Support Control Officer in the Direct Air Support 
Center (DASC), the Aviation Department's action officer in the Aviation 
Logistics Branch of the Department of Aviation at Marine Headquarters, 
and operations officer of the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing Aviation Support 
Element Kaneohe are just three of many assignments Col. O'Connor has 
been entrusted with.
  Receiving his wings in 1985, Col. O'Connor became a CH-53 helicopter 
pilot and transferred to Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 463. Col. 
O'Connor would leave HMH 463 to deploy to the Philippines but later 
return as Commanding Officer of the squadron from October 1997 to May 
1999 in Kaneohe, Hawaii. In August 2006, Col. O'Connor assumed the 
position of Commanding Officer of Marine Corps Air Station Miramar. Not 
only does he supervise over 3,000 Marines, Sailors and Civilian Marines 
with an operating budget of over $217 million but he is also 
responsible for Air Station assets of over $2 billion.
  Col. O'Connor's tireless passion for service has contributed to the 
betterment of this country. His decorations include the Legion of 
Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal 
with gold star, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy Commendation 
Medal, and Navy Achievement Medal. I am proud to call Chris a fellow 
community member, American and friend. I know

[[Page E726]]

that many citizens and servicemen are grateful for his service and 
salute him as he ends his term.

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