[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 86 (Wednesday, June 9, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1059]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




HONORING COLONEL EDWARD J. KERTIS FOR HIS DISTINGUISHED SERVICE TO THE 
                          RESIDENTS OF GEORGIA

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. PAUL C. BROUN

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 9, 2010

  Mr. BROUN of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Col. 
Edward J. Kertis for a distinguished career and the outstanding help 
that he has been to me, my staff, and the people in my district.
  Col. Kertis assumed command of the Savannah District, U.S. Army Corps 
of Engineers, on June 29, 2007. Since his appointment, he has been 
responsible for a $4 billion military design and construction program; 
water resources planning, design and construction; hazardous, toxic and 
radiological waste cleanup; and real estate activities.
  Residents of my district are especially grateful for his help with 
water resources management during an historic drought. As the rains 
finally began to return, Col. Kertis took the unprecedented step of 
stopping flow from Thurmond and Hartwell Dams, allowing the lakes to 
fill while water was flowing into the Savannah River from flooding 
creeks and streams. This common-sense decision provided economic relief 
to those communities who rely so heavily on the preservation of the 
beautiful lakes and parks of the upper Savannah River. But he has 
served his country in other ways as well.
  Prior to his assignment to the Savannah District, Col. Kertis 
commanded the Walla Walla District, USACE, in Washington State from 
2002-2004. He has also served as a platoon leader, staff officer, and 
battalion executive officer in the 27th Engineer Battalion; company 
commander in the 41st Engineer Battalion; and engineer company 
commander in the 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment--Delta. He 
was also the inaugural commander of the Northern District, Gulf Region 
Division, Iraq, during Operation Iraqi Freedom, where he managed 
construction projects in support of Coalition forces and the Iraqi 
government.
  I ask my colleagues to join me in thanking Col. Kertis for his 
service to the nation and the dedication he has given his duties, and 
in wishing him all the best as he assumes his new assignment as Pacific 
Ocean Division Commander.

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