[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 115 (Tuesday, July 31, 2012)]
[Senate]
[Page S5728]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO DES R. GOYAL

 Mr. BLUNT. Mr. President, I rise today to honor Des R. Goyal 
as he completes a long and distinguished career with the U.S. Army 
Corps of Engineers, USACE. Mr. Goyal was born and educated in India, 
where he eventually received his Bachelor's and Master's degrees in 
Mechanical Engineering. In 1970, he came to the United States to 
further his studies while earning his U.S. citizenship. Mr. Goyal 
started his career with the Corps in 1978 as a project engineer on 
navigation locks in the Corps of Engineers Huntington District. Since 
that time, he has held numerous assignments with the Corps of 
Engineers, including working on military construction projects in Saudi 
Arabia and serving in Germany as Chief of the Mechanical/Electrical 
design branch for the Corps of Engineers Europe Division. In 1999, he 
was assigned the job of Chief, Operations Division, Kansas City 
District of the Corps of Engineers.
  2011 was arguably the most challenging year in the 114-plus-year 
history of the Corps of Engineers, Kansas City District. While 
executing the challenging Operations and Maintenance program, the 
District battled an epic 145-day flood in the Missouri River Basin and 
established a Recovery Field Office in Joplin, MO to respond to the 
fifth deadliest tornado in U.S. history. As an integral part of the 
Operations Division, Mr. Goyal led the effort to ensure his Emergency 
Management and Contingency Operations were fully manned by competent 
personnel from throughout the District. These additional missions 
comprised approximately 25 percent of the Kansas City District's 
workforce at various times, placing significant stress on the 
organization. However, Mr. Goyal remained poised and calm, responding 
with a plea for volunteers, and was instrumental in the success of 
these efforts. During these challenges, he clearly demonstrated strong 
leadership and technical competency. His past experiences significantly 
augmented the success of the mission during this timeframe.
  Throughout his career, Des Goyal has promoted leadership and mission 
execution. He has mentored many USACE employees and military personnel 
while leading the efforts on large, complex projects and programs 
throughout the world. He has tremendous passion for the advancement of 
his colleagues and those they serve. He championed the use of the 
Student Career Employment Program, SCEP, in the Corps of Engineers 
Northwest District, which serves as a valuable tool in providing 
college students the critical experience and networking opportunities 
to encourage employment in a public service career. Mr. Goyal continues 
to press for positive change through a focus on good government, 
professional organizations and community service.
  I thank Des Goyal for his service to his adopted country and wish Des 
and his wife, Usha, an enjoyable retirement.

                          ____________________