[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 62 (Thursday, April 29, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E717]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 OCCASION OF MAJOR SPEROS KOUMPARAKIS' TRANSFER FROM THE UNITED STATES 
                      MARINE CORPS LIAISON OFFICE

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. W. TODD AKIN

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 29, 2010

  Mr. AKIN. Madam Speaker, today I recognize and pay tribute to Major 
Speros Koumparakis, United States Marine Corps, on the occasion of his 
transfer from the liaison office. I, and many other members of this 
Chamber, have had the pleasure of working with him over the past 3 
years that he has served as part of U.S. Marine Corps Office of 
Legislative Affairs and as the Deputy Director of the USMC Liaison 
Office in the U.S. House of Representatives.
  From his arrival in the October of 2006 to his departure in May 2010, 
Major Speros Koumparakis has represented the Marine Corps on all 
matters pertaining to the U.S. House of Representatives. During his 
time in the House Liaison Office, Major Koumparakis planned, led and 
executed many of the Marine Corps' most difficult and challenging 
legislative initiatives and distinguished himself as a leader and as a 
visible example of Marine Corps professionalism and values. Through his 
direct and skillful engagement with numerous Members of Congress and 
Professional Staff Members, he ensured that the Marine Corps' concepts, 
programs, and requirements were widely understood; resulting in the 
greatest possible support to the Marine Corps. His initiative, 
leadership, and tireless efforts as a fellow, legislative liaison 
officer and as the Deputy Director of the House Liaison Office have had 
a direct and lasting impact on improving the war fighting capabilities 
and the quality of life for Marines throughout the Marine Corps. Among 
his many achievements are:
  Major Koumparakis consistently demonstrated his expertise and 
knowledge by providing timely and accurate information to the Members 
of Congress and their respective staffs. He was a vital asset for all 
matters relating to the Marine Corps and their relationship with the 
House of Representatives. Major Koumparakis' straightforward and 
professional work garnered the respect of Members and staffers alike. 
His candor and knowledge were key attributes in maintaining the Marine 
Corps' superb relationships with the many Members of the House of 
Representatives.
  Throughout his tour, Major Koumparakis personally responded to 
hundreds of congressional inquiries, many of which gained national 
level attention. Through his exceptional inter-personal skills and 
broad knowledge in a wide range of military affairs, he assisted the 
Director, Marine Corps House of Representatives Liaison Office, in 
gaining the Members' support for issues critical to the Marine Corps. 
This exemplary customer service provided the Marine Corps latitude and 
time to reach appropriate solutions in each case. Major Koumparakis 
directly contributed to the Marine Corps' high degree of success in 
these matters that may not have been otherwise achieved.
  Major Koumparakis successfully planned, coordinated, and escorted 
more than 50 international domestic trips for high-level Congressional 
and Staff Delegations.
  These delegations often included senior leadership Representatives, 
such as the Minority Leader of the House, Chairs and Ranking Members of 
the House Armed Services Committee and other Committees of 
jurisdiction. These delegations traveled world-wide and visited heads 
of state, military commands, and deployed U.S. military personnel. His 
meticulous planning, attention to detail and anticipation of 
requirements allowed the Representatives and staff personnel to focus 
on fact-finding and learning new information to guide critical 
decisions made by the Members of Congress. These trips enabled our 
elected leaders to understand both the successes and challenges facing 
our Marines that could only be gleaned from first-hand observation and 
face-to-face interaction. These trips led to increased Congressional 
support for funding the needs of our deployed Marines and led to a 
greater appreciation and admiration for the sacrifices made by our 
Marines and their families. The close relationships developed on these 
trips paid dividends for the Marine Corps in all areas of legislative 
affairs.
  Another example of this Marine's impact on Capitol Hill was Major 
Koumparakis' having led or assisted in the planning, coordination, and 
execution of countless events, receptions, and meetings on Capitol 
Hill. These events included New Member Orientation for the Freshman 
Congressional Class of the 110th and 111th Congresses which took place 
both on Capitol Hill and in Williamsburg, Virginia; Four Marine Corps 
Birthday Cake Cutting Ceremonies with the U.S. House of 
Representatives; countless House Armed Services and House Foreign 
Affairs Committee hearings and events, promotion ceremonies, awards 
ceremonies, retirement ceremonies, and guided tours of the Capitol. He 
also scheduled and facilitated several hundred office calls for the 
leadership of the Marine Corps to include the Commandant of the Marine 
Corps, Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps, the Sergeant Major of 
the Marine Corps, and numerous other General Officers conducting 
business on Capitol Hill.
  Utilizing his particular expertise in Communications, Major 
Koumparakis was instrumental in designing and implementing an 
engagement tracking system for use within the liaison office shared 
drive. His efforts digitized a complex and cumbersome system and 
enabled all liaisons to have easy access to shared information, 
allowing them to focus on their work and create unity of effort in the 
office.
  In addition to the administrative requirements of the Marine Liaison 
Office, Major Koumparakis was instrumental in leading the planning and 
execution of the Capitol Hill Running Club for the past two years. This 
club met several times weekly, preparing hundreds of Capitol Hill 
staffers and military personnel to run the Marine Corps Marathon. Due 
to his hard work, the Club offered the Marine Corps an opportunity to 
engage with Congressional Staffers through physical training and raised 
the level of Marine Corps Marathon awareness on Capitol Hill.
  On a personal note, Major Koumparakis served as a military fellow on 
my staff in 2007. Speros was a fantastic addition to our office and was 
an invaluable resource to me in my duties on the House Armed Services 
Committee. His smiling face will never be forgotten by me or my staff.
  Major Koumparakis, through his dedication to professional, exemplary 
engagement with Congress has contributed immeasurably to the Marine 
Corps' solid reputation throughout Capitol Hill. The rapport he 
developed with Members of the House of Representatives and the 
Professional Staff Members have made a lasting impression with these 
Members and Staff and have set the tone for a lasting partnership 
between the Marine Corps and Congress for years to come. The time he 
has spent supporting Members of the House has been truly noteworthy. He 
has made lasting contributions to the House of Representatives.

                          ____________________