[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 105 (Thursday, July 14, 2011)]
[House]
[Page H5030]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  EXPRESSING GRATITUDE TO LIEUTENANT GENERAL BOB DURBIN AND HIS WIFE, 
                                 DIANA

  (Mr. POMPEO asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. POMPEO. Madam Speaker, this past week, a great American family 
retired from service to our Nation. Lieutenant General Bob Durbin and 
his wife, Diana, spent 36 years in service to our country in the United 
States Army working with soldiers and their families. On behalf of the 
United States, I want to thank them both for that service.
  This is also something I can speak to personally. Twenty-five years 
ago, General Durbin was my instructor in leadership at the United 
States Military Academy at West Point. He taught me there that it's 
always right to do the harder thing and not take the easier path. He 
reminded me that when times get tough, as they are here in America 
today, that real leaders can make real change. And Diana taught me that 
families with Christ in their hearts can make real changes in our 
world.
  Bob had many assignments during his 36 years in the Army, including 
command of Kansas' own Big Red One at Fort Riley, Kansas. He was also 
the first general assigned the daunting task of training the 
Afghanistan army and police force so that Afghanis may live in peace 
and security as we do in America.
  Bob and Diana, thank you for your service to our Nation. There is no 
higher praise I can give you than to say, ``Job well done.''

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