[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 38 (Monday, March 14, 2011)]
[Senate]
[Page S1598]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                TRIBUTE TO GENERAL GEORGE W. CASEY, JR.

 Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, on behalf of myself and my Army 
Caucus cochair, the senior Senator from Oklahoma, Mr. Jim Inhofe, I 
rise today to recognize one of our country's finest soldiers. GEN 
George W. Casey, Jr., the 36th Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army, is 
retiring after over 40 years of distinguished service to our Nation. 
General Casey has led soldiers at every level from platoon to division 
and all the way to chief, continuing the tradition of service begun by 
his father, MG George W. Casey, Sr., Commander, 1st Cavalry Division, 
killed in a helicopter crash on July 7, 1970, while visiting his troops 
during his assignment in Vietnam.
  Later in 1970, General Casey earned his commission as a second 
lieutenant through Georgetown University's Reserve Officer Training 
Corps and began his service to our Nation as an infantry officer. While 
serving in Germany, he excelled as a platoon leader and was selected to 
attend Ranger School and Infantry Officer Advanced Course, Fort 
Benning, GA, in 1974. Over the next 12 years, General Casey was 
assigned to units within the 4th Infantry Division, Mechanized, Fort 
Carson, CO. These postings culminated in his promotion to lieutenant 
colonel, serving as Commander, 1st Battalion, 10th Infantry in 1985.
  In 1991, then-Colonel Casey continued his career with the 1st Calvary 
Division, Fort Hood, TX. His success led to an Army fellowship and 
congressional liaison assignments in the Washington, DC area. Colonel 
Casey then returned to Europe as the Chief of Staff, V Corps, United 
States Army Europe. When forces were ordered into Bosnia in support of 
Operation Joint Endeavor, Colonel Casey deployed to Taszar, Hungary, as 
part of USAREUR Forward. Later, leading the 1st Armored Division as 
Assistant Division Commander for Maneuver, he oversaw the peaceful 
resettlement of Bosnian villages throughout the Multi-National 
Division-North MND(N) area of operations. He also oversaw the security 
of the first free elections on September 14, 1996, as mandated by the 
Dayton Peace Accord.
  Over the next 10 years General Casey would make historic and lasting 
impacts as a leader at the highest levels of the Army. From 2001 until 
2003, as the Director, Strategic Plans and Policy (J-5) to the Chairman 
of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Casey was a key figure in the 
crisis action planning to prosecute the global war on terror. In this 
position, General Casey was responsible for advising National, Defense, 
Joint and Army senior leadership about strategic issues and joint 
capabilities, requirements and resources. Later, his participation in 
Department of Defense and interagency affairs helped shape concepts 
that defined the future conduct of joint training and operations. The 
results of his efforts are visible today in the ongoing transformation 
of the American military into a more lethal, flexible, and responsive 
Joint force.
  In 2003, as Director of the Joint Staff, General Casey's 
uncompromising support of our nation's deployed forces contributed to 
successful operations in Afghanistan, Iraq, the Horn of Africa, the 
Philippines, and elsewhere around the world. During this period of 
changing global conditions and evolving challenges to the security of 
the United States, General Casey led the Joint Staff with unparalleled 
professional leadership and expertise. His participation in the 
national security decisionmaking process directly enhanced the security 
and welfare of the Nation.
  As the 30th Vice Chief of Staff of the Army from 2003 until 2004, 
General Casey employed his outstanding leadership and management skills 
to assist the Chief of Staff in supporting the Nation's war on terror 
and put the Army on course for one of the most profound transformations 
in their history. Recognizing the soldier as the centerpiece of the 
Army as well as the need to sustain the all-volunteer force that was 
stressed and strained by conflict, General Casey aggressively worked to 
care for soldiers and their families, ensuring the forces' success 
throughout the world. His legacy as the Vice Chief of Staff is an Army 
postured to meet the challenges of the 21st century as a result of his 
superior ability to lead in a period of war and profound transition.
  As the Commanding General of Multi-National Force-Iraq from 2004 
until 2007 during Operation Iraqi Freedom, General Casey's leadership 
of a 32-nation coalition, in coordination with its Iraqi partners, 
developed and implemented the actions that eliminated numerous 
terrorist safe havens. This began the rollback of insurgent gains 
throughout the country, setting the conditions for Iraq's first free 
national elections after 30 years of tyranny. Later, through the 
implementation of a vigorous counterinsurgency and counterterrorism 
campaign, he established a level of stability and security which 
allowed infrastructure reconstruction activities in Iraq to quadruple.
  Following his service in Iraq, General Casey was selected to serve as 
the 36th Chief of Staff of the Army in 2007. He synchronized the 
continuous generation and deployment of combat power to meet 
requirements of two ongoing wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, and multiple 
operations around the world. A strategic leader for our Army, and our 
Nation, he has personally led the transformation of the Army to meet 
the security challenges of the 21st century and restore balance to the 
force to set the conditions for continued success in the second decade 
of this era of persistent conflict. These innovative changes enabled 
Army forces to execute wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as 
successfully implement multiple humanitarian missions around the globe.
  When history looks back at the decades of service by the 36th Chief 
of Staff of the Army, it will be clear that he embodied the highest 
ideals of the American military professional. Our Nation owes General 
Casey, his wife Sheila, and their family its sincere appreciation for 
his truly extraordinary dedication to duty and service to the United 
States throughout his distinguished career in the U.S. Army. I wish 
him, his wife Sheila, their two sons Sean and Ryan and their families 
continued success and happiness in the future.

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