[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 57 (Monday, April 20, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Page S4440]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               TRIBUTE TO MAJOR GENERAL THOMAS L. CARTER

 Mr. GRAHAM. Mr. President, today I pay tribute to an 
outstanding military leader, public servant, true patriot, and citizen 
of Charleston, SC: MG Thomas L. Carter.
  General Carter is currently the Mobilization Assistant to the 
Secretary of the Air Force, and on May 1, after nearly 35 years of 
distinguished and honorable service, General Carter will retire from 
the U.S. Air Force Reserve.
  General Carter began his active duty service in 1975 after graduating 
from the ROTC program at Memphis State University. As an Air Force C-
141 pilot he flew over 4,000 hours performing missions in support of 
the U.S. Special Forces. He also had the distinction of serving as the 
Air Force Aide to President Ronald Reagan from 1984 to 1986, where he 
spent countless hours with the President ``carrying the football'' at 
the height of the Cold War. Following his active duty career, he served 
23 years in the U.S. Air Force Reserve.
  General Carter's public service also extends to the Senate. From 1986 
to 1989 he served as Assistant to the Republican Leader for National 
Security Affairs in the Office of Senator Robert Dole. His keen 
understanding of the Senate made him the leader's chief adviser on 
defense, foreign policy and veterans' affairs matters, and also 
resulted in his selection as a key member of Senator Dole's 1996 
Presidential campaign.
  General Carter's legislative prowess was so respected, that he left 
the Senate to assume the role of Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense 
for Senate Affairs in 1989. In that capacity, he counseled the 
Department of Defense leadership and individual service executives on 
issues before Congress.
  For 13 years, General Carter also served in the Secretary of Air 
Force's Office of Legislative Liaison, advising numerous Secretaries on 
government affairs matters. He also trained countless Air Force 
officers in the ways of Washington, DC. His trademark was his 
commitment to providing each new assignee to the office with his ``Hill 
101'' where military officers, and many times new congressional staff, 
would be given the secrets to success for navigating the legislative 
branch. Many of those he mentored have gone on to tremendous success in 
the public and private sector, due in large part to General Carter's 
tutelage.
  In 2003, General Carter was named Assistant to the Chairman for 
Government Affairs during the Columbia Accident Investigation Board. He 
also served as a civilian in the Department of Defense as a member of 
the Senior Executive Service while Senior Counselor to the Coalition 
Provisional Authority--CPA--from 2003-2004. In that capacity, he led 
numerous congressional delegations through areas of ongoing combat 
operations including visits to Baghdad, Mosul, Tikrit and Fallujah.
  The Nation will miss General Carter's congressional expertise, 
tireless advocacy for the Air Force, and unwavering commitment to 
public service. However, I know he will continue to serve his Nation 
wherever he goes. Tom is the proud father of Kathryn, 28, Will, 26, and 
Mary-Lee, 15. I am proud to speak on behalf of a grateful Nation in 
saying thank you to General Carter for his years of service and 
sacrifice.
  I hope my colleagues will join me in wishing him well in all his 
future endeavors and hope that those who follow in his footsteps will 
continue his legacy of selfless dedication to our great Nation. Good 
luck and Godspeed.

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