[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 70 (Tuesday, May 11, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E801]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             TRIBUTE TO BRIGADIER GENERAL PATRICK FINNEGAN

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JIM MARSHALL

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 11, 2010

  Mr. MARSHALL. Madam Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I rise 
today not only as the Representative of the 8th District of Georgia, 
but also as the Chairman of the Board of Visitors to the United States 
Military Academy at West Point, to honor the service and 
accomplishments of Brigadier General Patrick Finnegan.
  General Finnegan distinguished himself through exceptionally 
meritorious service to the Nation during more than thirty-nine years of 
active military service in peace and war, culminating in six years as a 
professor at West Point, and serving the last five years as the Dean of 
the Academic Board. During General Finnegan's tenure, Forbes Magazine 
rated West Point as the best college in America.
  As Dean, General Finnegan envisioned and fostered an Academic Program 
relevant to the needs of the Army that contributes to the intellectual 
and professional development of cadets. His visionary leadership led to 
the transition and expansion of the Academy's foreign language program, 
which places a greater emphasis on global and cultural awareness and 
includes a robust Study Abroad Program.
  Madam Speaker, the Academic Program at the United States Military 
Academy has never been stronger, more connected to the Army, or more 
revered by our Nation. During his tenure, General Finnegan sponsored 
several successful accreditation visits from the Accreditation Board 
for Engineering and Technology, ABET, and the Middle States Commission 
on Higher Education, MSCHE. West Point was also named the #1 Public 
College in the Nation by Forbes Magazine and best Public Liberal Arts 
College by the Princeton Review. Moreover, USMA cadets have won 84 
international scholarships during this period, and West Point leads the 
nation in terms of Rotary International Scholarship winners.
  Fondly referred to by cadets as the ``People's Dean,'' General 
Finnegan's focus on cadets and enrichment opportunities was never 
limited to the Academic Program. He was an avid and faithful supporter 
of cadet sports programs and the Dean's teams, and his personal 
participation in community and post-level events was unprecedented.
  Madam Speaker, General Finnegan's record of achievement and manner of 
service in positions of enormous responsibility epitomize the type of 
soldier for whom an award such as the Distinguished Service Medal is 
intended. He has discharged his duty with immeasurable skill, 
diplomacy, and humility, while his dedication to excellence and 
devotion to duty, honor, and country is unparalleled.
  On behalf of the Board of Visitors, I thank General Finnegan for his 
service to West Point.

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