[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 161 (Thursday, December 13, 2012)]
[Senate]
[Pages S8037-S8038]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                         TRIBUTE TO C.W. FLOYD

 Mr. BEGICH. Mr. President, today I would like to honor C.W. 
Floyd, Vietnam veteran, skeet-shooting champion, advocate for 
servicemembers everywhere, friend, and one of my longtime staff. On 
December 22, 2012, C.W. will retire after more than 30 years of service 
in and to the military. Although his retirement is much deserved, his 
absence will leave a void that will be hard to fill. In our extensive 
search to find a replacement for him, it has become clear that finding 
an ever-smiling, gun-collecting war veteran who provides the office 
with doughnuts is no easy task.
  Mr. Floyd gave the U.S. Army 22 years of service, including a tour of

[[Page S8038]]

duty in the Vietnam war. From 1979 through 1985, he served as a member 
of the Alaska Army National Guard. Those years with the U.S. Army would 
have been commendable and worthy of thanks in and of themselves, but it 
is actually the work that C.W. has done since retiring from the Army 
that sets him apart and needs to be honored. Since his Army retirement, 
Mr. Floyd has lived and worked to help Alaska's military members at 
every level. He was appointed the municipality of Anchorage's first 
military and veterans liaison and was then hired on as special 
assistant to the Senator in Veteran and Military Affairs. During his 
time in the U.S. Senate office, Mr. Floyd helped to pass legislation to 
gain Federal pension and benefits for members of the Alaska Territorial 
Guard who served during WWII but were overlooked because Alaska was not 
yet a state when they were active.
  C.W. Floyd not only works professionally for veterans and military 
members, he also volunteers his own time to support the cause. He spent 
15 years on the Alaska Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve 
Committee and works as an organizer and volunteer for Alaska Operation 
STANDOWN, a program advocating for and supporting homeless veterans. 
C.W. was named Civilian Volunteer of the Year by the Armed Services 
YMCA of Alaska and was also honored with the Patrick Henry Award, which 
provides recognition to local officials and civic leaders who 
distinguish themselves with outstanding and exceptional service to the 
Armed Forces of the United States, the National Guard, or the National 
Guard Association of the United States. The Patrick Henry Award states, 
``Mr. Floyd is an inspirational role model for selfless service in 
support of our total Homeland Security Team and the National Guard of 
the United States.''
  Besides providing doughnuts for the Senate office and championing for 
the rights of veterans, C.W. has a full and happy personal life. He has 
been in love with his wife Elaine for 28 years and plans to turn her 
into a California snowbird when they are both officially retired. They 
have raised three wonderful men, Chuck, Travis, and Curtis, and are 
happily watching as their sons repopulate the Earth with girl babies. I 
am guessing that the sales of powder pink guns will skyrocket as C.W. 
welcomes each granddaughter into the world. He is a lifetime NRA, 
National Skeet Shooting Association, Alaska Gun Collectors Association, 
and Alaska Veterans Museum member.
  C.W. is a shining example of all that our country has to offer and 
all that we can be. He has a smile and wise words of advice for anyone 
who walks into our office looking for assistance with veterans or 
military issues. No problem is too small or too big for C.W. to give 
attention to. My staff and I have witnessed him helping thousands of 
servicemembers, and I know that there are thousands more we did not 
witness. It should also be mentioned that his personal experiences and 
his articulate nature provide a voice that can explain veterans issues 
to those of us who do not know what it is like. In this way, he has 
educated all those who have ever had the chance to speak to him. His 
impact on the lives of U.S. veterans is far-reaching and immeasurable.
  Let history remember C.W. Floyd as one of our Nation's true 
heroes.

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