[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 169 (Monday, November 16, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2772-E2773]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  RECOGNIZING THE RETIREMENT OF DENNIS SHUMAN FROM THE OFFICE OF THE 
       PUBLIC DEFENDER FOR THE FIRST JUDICIAL CIRCUIT OF FLORIDA

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JEFF MILLER

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, November 16, 2009

  Mr. MILLER of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. 
Paul Dennis Shuman, a Northwest Florida leader who is retiring after a 
lifetime of public service to his country and his community. Dennis 
spent his career serving others, and I am proud to honor this 
dedication and service.
  After graduating from the Naval Academy in 1965, Dennis Shuman began 
a career in the United States Navy. He earned his Naval Aviator Wings 
of Gold in December of 1966, and his first operation was as a 
bombardier in Observation Squadron Sixty-Seven in Vietnam. Subsequent 
Navy tours took Dennis across the globe in service of his country. For 
his efforts, Dennis earned the Meritorious Service Medal, three Air 
Medals, the Navy Commendation Medal with Combat V, the Navy Achievement 
Medal, the Navy Expeditionary Medal, and the Vietnam Service Medal with 
four stars. In May of 2008, Dennis and the other surviving members of 
Observation Squadron Sixty-Seven were presented with the Presidential 
Unit Citation at the Navy Memorial in Washington, DC for their actions 
over the jungles of Southeast Asia in 1967 and 1968. This is the 
highest award given to a United States military unit.
  Dennis retired from the Navy in 1985 after twenty distinguished 
years. He graduated from the Florida State University College of Law in 
1989 and began his second career as a public servant by joining the 
Office of the Public Defender in Pensacola, Florida. For twenty years 
he served the people of Northwest Florida, and he retires as the Chief 
Assistant Public Defender for the First Judicial Circuit.

[[Page E2773]]

  In addition to his professional life, Dennis serves on the Juvenile 
Justice and Delinquency Prevention State Advisory Committee, a 
governor-appointed position. He is also actively involved in several 
local community service organizations including the Boy Scouts of 
America and First Baptist Church.
  Madam Speaker, on behalf of the United States Congress, I am honored 
to recognize Dennis Shuman for his service to Northwest Florida and the 
United States of America. He has been a dedicated public servant for 
over forty years. My wife Vicki and I wish all the best for Dennis and 
his family as they embark on this next journey in their lives.

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