[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 15 (Tuesday, January 31, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E96]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     HONORING THE DISTINGUISHED SERVICE OF GENERAL PETER CHIARELLI

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JAY INSLEE

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 31, 2012

  Mr. INSLEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor General Peter W. Chiarelli, 
who is retiring today as Vice Chief of Staff of the U.S Army, a 
position he has held with distinction since 2008. General Chiarelli's 
retirement is hard-earned and well-deserved, coming after 40 years of 
brave service to his country. He enlisted in 1972 as a 2nd lieutenant 
of armor, served two combat tours in Iraq, and eventually became the 
second-highest-ranking general at the Pentagon. We are indebted to the 
service of General Chiarelli, and I am proud to say that he is a native 
Washingtonian.
   General Chiarelli was born in Seattle, Washington and graduated with 
a bachelor's degree in political science from Seattle University, where 
he was a Distinguished Military Graduate of Seattle University's Army 
ROTC program. He received his masters from the University of 
Washington, and also led several different units at Fort Lewis, in 
Washington state. In addition to his service at Fort Lewis, General 
Chiarelli served as commander of the First Calvary Division at Fort 
Hood, Texas, as Director of Operations, Readiness and Mobilization at 
U.S. Army Headquarters, and led the Multi-National Corps in Iraq.
   Beyond simply acknowledging his service and expressing the gratitude 
of myself and my constituents, I would also like to acknowledge the 
General's longstanding advocacy on behalf of behavioral health issues 
in the Army. At a time when many of our young men and women are 
returning from service abroad suffering from post-traumatic stress 
disorder, traumatic brain injury, and other issues related to their 
service, General Chiarelli has called attention to the obligation we 
have to provide these heroes with the care they need and deserve.
   General Chiarelli, even in your retirement, myself, my colleagues, 
and my constituents remain inspired by your unwavering commitment to 
this nation, which will long serve as a shining example of the spirit 
of service and sacrifice that future generations will aspire to equal.

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