[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 113 (Friday, July 24, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1992-E1993]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 TRIBUTE TO COLONEL ANIELLO L. TORTORA

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. TIMOTHY H. BISHOP

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, July 24, 2009

  Mr. BISHOP of New York. Madam Speaker, it is with great appreciation 
for his service to the people of my congressional district that I bid 
farewell to Colonel Aniello L. Tortora, commander of the New York 
District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. I have known Colonel 
Tortora since he assumed command of the New York District in August, 
2006, and have been proud to work with him on Long Island to improve 
navigation, protect our shores and energize the local economy.
  Covering not only Long Island, the New York District is responsible 
for the Corps' water resource development, navigation, and regulatory 
activities in northeastern New Jersey, eastern and south-central New 
York State, and parts of Vermont, Massachusetts, and Connecticut. The 
District is also responsible for design and construction at Army and 
Air Force installations in New Jersey, New York, and overseas in 
Greenland. Colonel Tortora also holds the title of Supervisor of New 
York Harbor.
  Colonel Tortora, a native of southern Florida, was commissioned an 
engineer officer from the United States Military Academy at West Point 
in 1985. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the U.S. Military 
Academy, a Master of Science in Engineering from the University of 
Texas, and a Master of Science in National Security Strategy from the 
National Defense University.
  Throughout his career, Colonel Tortora has served in a variety of 
operational, command and staff assignments in the United States and 
overseas. He has commanded at every level from platoon to battalion. 
His most recent assignment was Senior Joint Engineer, Defense 
Continuity and Crisis Management, Assistant Secretary of Defense 
(Homeland Defense) in Washington, DC.
  Colonel Tortora's previous assignments include: platoon leader and 
company executive officer, 43rd Engineer Battalion (Combat) (Heavy), 
Fort Benning, Georgia, and Honduras; B Company commander, 16th Engineer 
Battalion (Combat), 1st Armored Division in Nuremberg, Germany, and for 
Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm; project engineer, Omaha 
District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; battalion S-3, 588th Engineer 
Battalion (Combat) and brigade S-3, Engineer Brigade, 4th Infantry 
Division, Fort Hood, Texas; and staff officer, Futures Directorate, 
U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command, Fort Monroe, Virginia. He also 
commanded the 2nd Engineer Battalion (Combat), 2nd Infantry Division, 
at Camp Castle, Korea.
  Colonel Tortora is a graduate of the Engineer Officer Basic and 
Advanced courses, the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, and 
the National War College. He is a member of the Association of the 
United States Army, the Society of American Military Engineers, the 
Army Engineer Association, and the National Engineering Honor Society, 
Tau Beta Pi.
  His awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star 
Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, three awards of the

[[Page E1993]]

Army Meritorious Service Medal, three awards of the Army Commendation 
Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Kuwait Liberation Medal, and Saudi 
Arabia Liberation Medal.
  Madam Speaker, it is evident from his long list of accomplishments 
and accolades that Colonel Tortora's has dedicated his life to service 
to his country. I am honored to have worked with him to improve and 
protect the lives of Long Island residents. I wish him the best of luck 
in his future endeavors and thank him again on behalf of the First 
Congressional District of New York.

                          ____________________