[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 72 (Tuesday, May 24, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E944-E945]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             HONORING COLONEL YOLANDA C. DENNIS-LOWMAN, USA

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. ROB BISHOP

                                of utah

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 24, 2011

  Mr. BISHOP of Utah. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Colonel 
Yolanda C. Dennis-Lowman, United States Army, for her remarkable record 
of achievements during her service from July 8, 2008, through July 19, 
2011, as the Commander of the Tooele Army Depot, Utah.
  Under her active supervision and guidance, Tooele Army Depot was 
officially designated by the Secretary of the Army as a Center of 
Industrial and Technical Excellence (CITE) for Ammunition Peculiar 
Equipment (APE) maintenance, which is a very significant achievement.
  Because of her commitment to safety and the solid policies and 
procedures she implemented during the 2009-2010 timeframe, the depot 
achieved more than 610 consecutive days without a loss time injury, 
which was the best record within the Joint Munitions Command and Army 
Materiel Command (AMC). It was under her watch that Tooele Army Depot 
also received the AMC Safety Award, of ``Best Installation.''
  During her tenure, the Army implemented the Logistics Modernization 
Program (LMP) at Tooele Army Depot. By way of explanation, LMP 
modernizes the systems and processes associated with managing the 
Army's supply chain at the national and installation levels, and 
permits the planning, forecasting, and rapid order fulfillment leading 
to streamlined supply lines, improved distribution, and a reduced 
theatre footprint. Thus, LMP better supports the warfighter so that 
they can be better equipped and ready to respond to present and future 
threats. Colonel Dennis-Lowman managed and supported the depot team 
during this difficult and challenging LMP transformation.
  Further, her guidance and leadership led the depot to excel in 
continuous improvement efforts. In 2010, the depot exceeded the Value 
Engineering goal by more than $800,000 ($1.48 million versus $2.29 
million), and exceeded the Lean Six Sigma goal by more than $140,000 
($931,000 versus $790,000).
  In 2010, the depot shipped approximately 39,012 tons of conventional 
ammunition and received and processed 33,218 tons. This was in direct 
support of the ongoing war efforts around the world, as well as 
training requirements.
  Colonel Dennis-Lowman was recognized by the publishers of Utah 
Business (magazine for decision makers) as one of the ``30 Top Women to 
Watch--Women Making a Difference in Utah Business.''
  She advised and supported a depot team during a Green Belt Project, 
Water Management. This team was awarded the 31st Annual Secretary of 
the Army Energy and Water Management Award, as well as the 2009 Federal 
Energy and Water Management Award within the small group category.
  During her command, the depot's Law Enforcement and Security Branch 
did very well and received ``commendable'' ratings during the 
Headquarter, AMC Force Protection Assessment. In 2010, Tooele Army 
Depot received the AMC Anti-Terrorism Award for Small Installations.
  Her guidance was instrumental in receiving OHSAS 18001 (safety), ISO 
9001:2008 (ammo shipping/receiving and ammo equipment and 
manufacturing), and ISO 14001 (environmental) certifications.
  Colonel Dennis-Lowman coordinated the effort for Tooele Army Depot to 
be the first Army installation to have a wind turbine. This wind 
turbine was completed in June 2010, stands 262 feet tall, and produces 
1.5 MW of electricity, which is enough to power 300-400 homes, and 
translates to $206,625 in savings per year. In 2010, the depot's energy 
usage was 8% lower than during 2009, resulting in a cost savings of 
over $117,000.
  In conclusion, Mr. Speaker, Colonel Yolanda C. Dennis-Lowman has 
served in a most exemplary manner as Commander of the Tooele Army 
Depot, and has demonstrated remarkable leadership abilities in the face 
of substantial challenges. I congratulate her on her accomplishments, 
and invite my colleagues to join me in thanking her for a job well 
done, and join me in extending well wishes to her for much success in 
all future endeavors.

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