[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 114 (Friday, July 30, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1517]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 HONORING MAJOR GENERAL DOUGLAS BURNETT

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ADAM H. PUTNAM

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, July 30, 2010

  Mr. PUTNAM. Madam Speaker, today I rise to honor Florida Air National 
Guard Major General Douglas Burnett. General Burnett's hard work helped 
rise through the ranks over the years earning a number of awards over 
his illustrious career.
  Retiring from the Air Force, General Burnett capped his 47 years and 
4 month long career as Florida's Adjutant General. Taking the position 
in November 3, 2001, General Burnett was the first Air Guard officer to 
preside over Florida's 12,000 member National Guard.
  In his opening remarks that November, General Burnett stated, ``Let 
us, as we respond to the national crisis before our nation, seize this 
opportunity to re-calibrate our priorities and realize that freedom is 
the common bond among America's diverse culture . . . something that 
must always be protected . . . something that those who come to 
America's shores value highest.''
  General Burnett presided over the Florida National Guard's response 
to some of region's most severe natural disasters. A record four 
hurricanes in one year hit Florida in 2004, including Hurricanes 
Charley, Frances, Ivan, and Jeanne. The following year, General Burnett 
led the response to Hurricanes Dennis, Wilma, and Katrina. More 
recently, he set in motion the Florida National Guard's part of 
bringing aid to earthquake stricken Haiti. After his long years of 
service, General Burnett earned the respect and admiration from the 
military and civilian side in efforts to make Florida the best National 
Guard state in the nation.
  The leadership General Burnett demonstrated in these responses was 
forged over a long career of impressive accomplishments. General 
Burnett has received the Legion of Merit award with one oak leaf 
cluster. General Burnett has also received the Air Force Commendation 
Medal, the Air Force Achievement Medal, and the Combat Readiness Medal 
with two oak leaf clusters. The Air Force began commending this award 
in 1958. Locally, he has received the Florida Cross, the Florida 
Distinguished Service Medal and the Florida Commendation Medal.
  Such a noteworthy career began in his hometown of Jacksonville, 
Florida. After spending some time in military service, he then went on 
to graduate from the University of Southern Mississippi with a 
Bachelor's of Science in Business Administration. After many years in 
the service, General Burnett later capped off his education by 
completing work at the Command and General Staff College and the Air 
War College.
  After high school, General Burnett began his military career at 
Lackland Air Force Base in Texas and Kessler Air Force Base in 
Mississippi under the Florida Air National Guard. He then started what 
became a lifelong flying career in 1969 by enrolling in the 
Undergraduate Pilot Training program at Randolph Air Force Base in 
Texas. Earning dual qualifications in military and transport aircraft, 
he took his first assignment as an Alert Pilot in the North American 
Aerospace Defense Command.
  General Burnett also flew commercially for Pan America World Airways 
and United Airlines until 1996. During his extensive time as a military 
and commercial pilot, he logged over 20,000 flying hours over 22 years 
in the F-102, F-106, C-26, C-131, C-13011, Boeing 727, and McDonnel-
Douglas DC-10.
  General Burnett served on a number of posts. He was the Chairman of 
the National Guard Bureau's Domestic Operations Advisory Board. He sat 
on the Reserve Forces Policy Board and is actively involved with the 
National Guard Association of the United States where he previously 
served two terms on the Executive Council. He was elected the President 
of the National Guard Officers Association of Florida in 1993. Finally, 
General Burnett also served on the Florida Council of 100.
  On behalf of the 12th Congressional District and all of Florida, I 
want to thank General Burnett for his long years of service as a proud 
member of the Florida Air National Guard. I congratulate him on his 
successful completion of a 47 years career with the Florida Air 
National Guard and wish him well in his retirement.

                          ____________________