[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 63 (Tuesday, April 28, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E996]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      HONORING COLONEL JIM AYERS ON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. HEATH SHULER

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 28, 2009

  Mr. SHULER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the sterling 
career of Colonel Jim Ayers of McDowell County. Colonel Ayers is 
retiring on September 1, 2009 from the United States Air Force after 26 
years of dedicated service.
  Colonel Ayers, a graduate of the University of North Carolina, was 
commissioned in 1983 through the ROTC program. He has served his 
country through a variety of assignments in acquisitions, mobility 
operations, and doctrine development. Colonel Ayers is a Command Pilot 
with more than 3,500 flight hours in the C-141, KC-10, and C-32. As an 
operational commander, he led the First Airlift Squadron at Andrews Air 
Force Base where his unit was responsible for the transportation of the 
Vice-President, First Lady, Members of Congress and senior cabinet 
officials. He also helped shape our military's doctrine and policy 
while serving as an analyst at the Headquarters Air Force Doctrine 
Center and as a research staff member at the Institute for Defense 
Analyses. Most recently, Colonel Ayers led the Washington Operations 
section of United States Joint Forces Command.
  Colonel Ayers has admirably served his country without question or 
reservation and, in doing so, has set standards of honor, respect, duty 
and country for his fellow soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines. On 
behalf of myself and my constituents, I extend to Colonel Jim Ayers my 
gratitude, deep appreciation and well wishes for a good retirement.

                          ____________________