[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 102 (Tuesday, July 10, 2012)]
[Senate]
[Page S4820]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         TRIBUTE TO JIM SUTTON

 Mr. LEE. Mr. President, the United States Air Force has always 
been on the cutting edge of technology, ensuring the safety of 
Americans from a wide variety of threats. The advancement and 
sustainment of this technology has come as a result of the hard work of 
visionary leaders in research and intelligence sectors of the United 
States Armed Services. One of these visionary leaders is Jim Sutton, 
the Director of Plans and Programs for the Ogden Air Logistics Center 
at Hill Air Force Base. After an honorable and decorated career, Jim is 
retiring from public service. I wish to honor him today.
  The Ogden Air Logistics Center is one of the United States foremost 
warfighter sustainment organizations, with management and maintenance 
responsibilities for some of the world's most advanced weapons systems. 
Their motto is ``Innovative leaders for the defense technologies of the 
future; combining action and quality to ensure the systems you depend 
on are done right!'' Jim Sutton has served as the director of Plans and 
Programs at the Ogden Air Logistics Center. During his tenure, he has 
turned the center into a model of fiscal responsibility and efficiency. 
Jim also oversaw the Enhanced Use Lease Program Management Office, 
which manages real estate transactions authorized by the Department of 
Defense Leasing Authority. I should note that Hill's Enhanced Use Lease 
Program Management office is the largest in the country. During his 
tenure as director he simultaneously served as a crucial advisor to the 
Utah Defense Alliance, where his colleagues note his instrumental 
leadership role during the Base Realignment and Closure act of 2005. 
One of Jim's crowning achievements at Hill is Falcon Hill, a state of 
the art National Aerospace Research Park located within the base 
itself.
  Jim's career began long before he joined the directorate at the Ogden 
Air Logistics Center. His active duty began over 30 years ago in 1980. 
During that time he served in important judicial advocacy positions at 
the Los Angeles Air Force Base, the United States Air Forces European 
Headquarters in Germany, the Pentagon, San Antonio Contracting Center, 
Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado, Andrews Air Force Base in 
Maryland, Air Force Materiel Command at Wright Patterson Air Force Base 
and Scott Air Force base in Illinois. He has received several awards 
and commendations, including the Air Force Commendation Medal in 1983, 
five Meritorious Service Medals, the Albert M. Kuhlfeld Award for 
Outstanding Young Judge Advocate in both 1986 and 1990, the Outstanding 
Career Judge Advocate in 1996, the Stuart Reichart Award for 
Outstanding Senior Attorney in 1999, and the Outstanding Achievement 
Award for work from 2001-2003.
  On a more personal level, coworkers describe Jim as a man of 
integrity, who fought for causes important to Utah and to the 
advancement and sustainment of Air Force technology. He has been a 
tremendous ally between the armed services and the state of Utah, 
working closely with Utah's congressional delegation in the advancement 
and progress of Hill Air Force Base. He has made it his personal 
mission to both sustain the viability of Hill Air Force Base and fight 
for its continued advancement. The base is now one of the top employers 
in Utah, providing jobs for over 23,000 Utahns. He has brought 
tremendous military credibility and knowledge to the state of Utah and 
will remain a respected and beloved authority to Utah's armed services 
community. Jim's personal efforts have contributed to the advancement 
and sustainment of our nation's military technology, namely our highly 
technical weapons systems. The people of the United States owe Jim a 
tremendous debt of gratitude for his dedication and service. Sharon and 
I extend our best wishes to Jim and his family as they begin a new 
chapter in their lives.

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