[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 94 (Wednesday, June 20, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1096]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 TRIBUTE TO COLONEL ROBERT D. PETERSON

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. SHELLEY MOORE CAPITO

                            of west virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 20, 2012

  Mrs. CAPITO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 
accomplishments of Colonel Robert D. Peterson, an outstanding West 
Virginian who served in our nation's military. Col. Peterson is 
responsible for overseeing the 300 navigable miles of the Ohio River 
basin. Col. Peterson employs over 800 staff members to maintain 35 
reservoirs, and nine locks and dams. I want to personally congratulate 
Col. Peterson for his continued success.
  Col. Robert D. Peterson is an outstanding soldier, friend, husband 
and father. He is a 1985 graduate from the prestigious academy of West 
Point, graduating with a Bachelors of Science and from the U.S. Army 
War College with a Masters Degree in Strategic Studies. Col. Peterson 
was awarded the Bronze Star, three Army Commendation Medals, two Army 
Achievement Medals, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Master 
Parachutist Badge, and the Bronze Order of the deFleury Medal.
  The awards of Col. Peterson are just a fraction of what he has truly 
accomplished. Col. Peterson has successfully managed 35 flood projects 
that prevented over $11.3 billion in damages while allowing over 30 
million visitors to support these regions. In the Huntington District, 
he has made the most of 3,000 volunteers, doing over $2 million worth 
of service. He has also been responsible for 94 tons of commercial 
traffic with 35,000 lockages valuing at 18.6 billion dollars. He has 
issued 800 permits for mining, highway construction, flood emergency 
and more. Of these permits he was responsible for placing the Boy Scout 
Jamboree within our beautiful state of West Virginia. He has worked and 
encouraged the support for projects overseas within Afghanistan and 
Iraq. Col. Peterson's efforts have allowed these regions to thrive.
  Col. Peterson's work has greatly enhanced the state of West Virginia 
and the world around him. Congratulations to Col. Peterson on his 
numerous accomplishments.

                          ____________________