[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 139 (Monday, September 19, 2011)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5723-S5724]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               TRIBUTE TO STAFF SERGEANT RAVEN S. TAYLOR

 Ms. MURKOWSKI. Mr. President, I speak today in honor of one of 
our Nation's finest, a member of the U.S. Air Force. I am pleased to 
announce that Raven S. Taylor was selected as one of 12 airmen who 
earned the award of Outstanding Airman of the Year, and I am proud to 
note that Raven earned this distinction while serving in the rank of 
senior airman at Eielson Air Force Base, AK. She has since been 
promoted to staff sergeant. This is an auspicious occasion and no small 
feat considering the 12 airmen were selected from an eligible pool of 
over 288,000 for their superior leadership, job performance, and 
personal achievement.
  Raven is a native of Waycross, GA. She graduated with honors from 
Prince County High School and enlisted in the Air Force in 2007. After 
basic training and technical school as a aerospace medical technician, 
Alaska welcomed her to Eielson as her first duty assignment. Like many 
others who come to our State, Raven felt right at home, thriving in her 
job at the hospital and making meaningful contributions to the 
community. She oversaw some 650 preventive health assessments and 
supervised the infection control program, which achieved a flawless 
record of zero infections reported over 18,000 patient visits. Raven 
assisted with 20

[[Page S5724]]

minor surgeries and worked over 1,000 hours of ambulance service, where 
she was credited with helping to save the life of a gunshot victim. 
While at Eielson she found time to volunteer with the USO, Big Brothers 
Big Sisters, the Air Force Sergeants Association, and youth 
cheerleading. Add to this her work toward a bachelor's degree in 
nursing, and it is clear why she stood out from her peers for this 
prestigious award.
  Excellence is contagious. Rewarding the best of the best motivates 
others in their own endeavors. In a time when our servicemembers are 
all volunteers, the professionalism and proficiency of the force is 
fueled by those within the ranks who lead by example and uphold the 
core values of their service. The example Raven set through her 
exceptional performance has undoubtedly been transmitted to countless 
other airmen she served with. Alaska is proud to have had her.
  Alaskans take pride in treating our military better than any other 
State, and we like to think our support makes them better soldiers, 
airmen, sailors, marines, and coast guardsmen. We know they make us 
better. Our military members are a reassuring presence in our 
communities, and we hope our faithful patriotism reciprocates the 
inspiration we draw from theirs. Raven has recently been transferred to 
Yokota Air Base, Japan, but I trust she will fondly remember her time 
in Alaska. I congratulate Sergeant Taylor on her selection as one of 
the 12 Outstanding Airmen, I thank her for her service, and I look 
forward to hearing of her continued success.

                          ____________________