[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 155 (Wednesday, December 5, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1879-E1880]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      IN HONOR OF MAJOR JOHN SHIPE AND HIS SERVICE TO OUR COUNTRY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. TIMOTHY J. WALZ

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 5, 2012

  Mr. WALZ of Minnesota. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to Major 
John Shipe, of the United States Army for his extraordinary dedication 
to duty and service to our Nation. Major Shipe will be moving on from 
his present assignment as a Congressional Liaison for the Army to 
Office of the Secretary of Defense to work on Reserve Affairs.
   A native of Jacksonville, Florida, Major Shipe graduated from 
Jacksonville University and earned his Bachelor's Degree in Business 
Administration. He later earned a Master's in Legislative Affairs from 
George Washington University. His awards and decorations include: 
Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal 
(1 Oak Leaf Cluster), Army Achievement Medal (1 Oak Leaf Cluster), the 
Parachutist Badge, and the German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge 
(Gold).
   Following his graduation from Jacksonville University in May 2001, 
Major Shipe was commissioned in the Army Reserve as a Military Police 
Officer. His first assignment was with 351st Military Police Company in 
Ocala, FL where he served as a Platoon Leader and Company Commander. He 
left his job as an

[[Page E1880]]

Account manager for the General Electric Company to deploy in support 
of Operation Iraqi Freedom from May 2003 to June 2004. During his time 
in the combat zone, he was responsible for training Iraqi Security 
Forces and providing security to convoys throughout Southern Iraq. 
After returning from his tour in Iraq, John choose to go onto active 
duty as an Army Reserve Officer and move to Lubbock, Texas where he 
served in the 413th Civil Affairs Battalion from 2006 to 2008. In 2008, 
John moved to Columbus, Ohio to take command of the 342nd Military 
Police Company. As its commander, Major Shipe deployed to Iraq for a 
second time in 2008. This time John served in Tikrit and was partnered 
with the Iraqi Security Forces for more twelve months. Upon completion 
of his second combat tour, John was selected for the prestigious Army 
Congressional Fellowship Program. During his fellowship he was chosen 
to serve on my staff where he utilized his extensive military 
experience to provide expert advice on military and veterans' issues. 
In May 2011, he arrived in the House Army Liaison Division where he 
assumed his role as a Legislative Liaison and continued to honorably 
serve as a conduit between the Army and Congress.
   Mr. Speaker, it has been a pleasure to work closely with Major Shipe 
over the last few years of his decorated career. On behalf of a 
grateful Nation, I join my colleagues today in recognizing and 
commending Major Shipe for dedicating his life in service to his 
country. For all he and his family, have given and continue to give to 
our country; we are in their debt. We wish him, his wife Kelli, and 
their three children Jacob, John and Kinsley all the best as they 
continue their journey to his next assignment in the United States 
Army.

                          ____________________