[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 122 (Tuesday, August 9, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1515]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


   PAYING TRIBUTE TO MS. BARBARA JENSEN'S 27 YEARS OF SERVICE TO OUR 
                                 NATION

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. C.W. BILL YOUNG

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, August 9, 2011

  Mr. YOUNG of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to Ms. 
Barbara Jensen for her extraordinary dedication to duty and service to 
the United States of America. Ms. Jensen will retire after 27 years of 
distinguished service to the Nation, both as an Army officer and as an 
Army Civilian.
  Ms. Jensen began her service as a Medical Service Corps officer. She 
served honorably for 21 years, commanding troops and serving as a 
Logistician, Commodity Manager of the Army's critical medical supplies 
and equipment at Fort Carson, Colorado, Fort Lewis, Washington, Tripler 
Army Medical Center, Hawaii, and overseas in Germany.
  Ms. Jensen was assigned to ever higher levels of responsibility 
because her experience and reputation as a skilled leader, manager, and 
advisor grew. As the Director of Logistics for the Armed Forces 
Institute of Pathology, she played a key role in enabling the Institute 
to provide world-class, life-saving diagnostic consultations. Her 
leadership also supported the innovative scientific research conducted 
at the Institute, while providing an opportunity to educate military 
and civilian pathologists, physicians, and various medical and 
scientific professionals.
  Ms. Jensen became a liaison to Members of Congress and advised Army 
leadership on Congressional interest items and legislation. With the 
Army Staff in the Pentagon, she provided legislative analysis on 
Congressional actions affecting Army programs. She led numerous 
Congressional staff visits and ensured that Members of Congress and 
their staff were supplied with critical, time sensitive information to 
afford deep understanding of the Army's medical research programs. She 
became the advisor to the Army's Surgeon General and his staff on 
legislation affecting military health care, thereby helping to ensure 
continued Congressional support for medical innovation and the finest 
medical care for our Service Members.
  Ms. Jensen retired from the United States Army in 2004, receiving the 
Legion of Merit award for her superb service. Afterwards, Ms. Jensen 
became a civil servant with the Department of the Army in 2005, 
returning to use her vast talents and expertise to serve her country 
once again.
  As an Army Congressional Legislative Liaison, the Army entrusted Ms. 
Jensen to provide accurate assessments to Capitol Hill and to 
effectively communicate the Army's priorities. She earned the trust and 
confidence of the Members of the House and Senate Defense 
Appropriations Subcommittees, Congressional Staffers, the Office of the 
Secretary of Defense; Director, Army Staff and other service 
legislative activity directors.
  Ms. Jensen most recently served as the Deputy Chief of Congressional 
Operations Division, Army Legislative Liaison. Ms. Jensen was an 
instrumental member of the legislative team, collecting information 
Congress needed to enact authorizations and oversee the Department of 
the Army. Her advice was heeded by Army leaders to include the 
Secretary of the Army, the Chief of Staff, the Under Secretary of the 
Army, the Vice Chief of Staff, and the Sergeant Major of the Army.
  Ms. Jensen has continued to remain passionate about Soldiers, their 
Families, and ensuring quality of life for Service Members matches the 
quality of their service. She has made a real and lasting impact 
through her numerous contributions toward gaining Congressional trust, 
confidence, and advocacy for the Army.
  Mr. Speaker, on behalf of a grateful Nation, I join my colleagues 
today in saying thank you to Ms. Barbara Jensen for her extraordinary 
dedication to duty and service to this country throughout her 
distinguished career in the United States Army, both in uniform and as 
a Civilian. We wish her all the best in her well-deserved retirement.

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