[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 118 (Friday, July 31, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2117]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    GOD BLESS, THANK YOU AND GOOD LUCK, LIEUTENANT COLONEL REBECCA 
    LEGGIERI, MILITARY FELLOW TO THE 13TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT OF 
                                MICHIGAN

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. CAROLYN C. KILPATRICK

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 30, 2009

  Ms. KILPATRICK of Michigan. Madam Speaker, I rise today to say thank 
you and wish continued blessings of God upon U.S. Army LTC Rebecca 
Leggieri. Lieutenant Colonel Leggieri served as a 90-Day Military 
Fellow in the office in my 13th Congressional District Office of 
Michigan in Washington, DC, and is due to report to the Pentagon's 
Office of Public Affairs in a few days as she continues her service to 
our Nation.
  Lieutenant Colonel Leggieri was invaluable in her ability in 
educating the office about the valued role that America's 
servicemembers perform every day to protect our freedom. As a mother, 
Army warrior and patriot, Lieutenant Colonel Leggieri offered a unique 
perspective on the impact and effect of the decisions that Congress, in 
general, and the House Appropriations Committee on Defense, in 
particular. I am proud that, in the United States of America, women who 
have ability, character and quality can advance to the upper levels of 
the military as Lieutenant Colonel Leggieri.
  Lieutenant Colonel Leggieri was born in Schenectady, New York to 
Joseph V. Palowich and the late Monica Palowich. She graduated from 
Notre Dame-Bishop Gibbons High School in Schenectady, New York where 
she excelled at basketball, track and swimming. Today, Lieutenant 
Colonel Leggieri is still involved in athletics with her children and 
continues to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
  Rebecca graduated from Saint Lawrence University in May 1989 with a 
bachelors of arts degree in English Writing and Government. Lieutenant 
Colonel Leggieri was a 4-year Army Reserve Officers Training Corps 
(ROTC) scholarship student at Saint Lawrence University and was 
commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Quartermaster Corps upon her 
graduation from college. She served in command and staff positions in 
Quartermaster and Logistics units in New York, Virginia, Nebraska and 
Arkansas before being assigned to Washington, DC. She later earned a 
masters degree in Public Communications from American University in May 
2004.
  Rebecca began her career in Army Public Affairs at the Pentagon in 
2002 as the Speechwriter for the Chief of the Army Reserve. Lieutenant 
Colonel Leggieri then served as the Public Affairs and Media Officer at 
the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy from June 2004 
until June 2005. She is currently serving as the Community Relations 
Public Affairs Officer for the Army's Chief of Public Affairs in the 
Pentagon.
  While Lieutenant Colonel Leggieri has served for the last 3 months on 
Capitol Hill as an Army Fellow in the Army Congressional Orientation 
Program, ACOP, and assigned to me, Congresswoman Carolyn C. Kilpatrick, 
I have learned much about the contributions of our individual 
servicemembers and their families. I thank the Secretary of the Army 
and former Congressman Pete Geren and Army Chief of Staff General 
George W. Casey, Jr. for this wonderful program that is a tremendous 
benefit to all Members of Congress.
  Lieutenat Colonel Leggieri is also very active in the local 
community, serving for the past 4 years as Public Relations Chair on 
the Board of Directors for Coles Little League in Manassas, Virginia.
  In thanking and wishing the continued grace of God to Lieutenant 
Colonel Leggieri, I also extend the same to her family. Rebecca is 
married to COL John Leggieri, also in the United States Army and from 
New York State. John and Rebecca were married 16 years ago, on July 24, 
1993. They have two children, 14-year-old Olivia, who is entering high 
school this fall and 11-year-old Gabriel, who will be entering middle 
school.
  Thank you Lieutenant Colonel Leggieri for your continued public 
service to the people of the 13th Congressional District of Michigan, 
to our Nation, and to the world. May you, your family and all of 
America's military have God's continued good grace and infinite 
blessings.

                          ____________________