[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 69 (Thursday, May 16, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E684]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


  IN HONOR OF LIEUTENANT COMMANDER JOYCE ZONGRONE, U.S. NAVY (RETIRED)

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. AL GREEN

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 16, 2013

  Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, today, I would like to honor 
Lieutenant Commander (LCDR) Joyce Zongrone, who retired after 35 years 
of courageous service in both the active and reserve service on June 
30, 2008.
  LCDR Joyce Zongrone has been consistently recognized throughout her 
career for her service in the Vietnam War, Operation Desert Storm, and 
the Global War on Terrorists. LCDR Zongrone originally earned her 
commission in 1974 after graduating Officer Candidate School in 
Newport, Rhode Island. She then went on to serve with great 
distinction, being awarded the Woman of Military Achievement Award by 
the San Diego Chapter of the U.S. Navy League for three consecutive 
years: 1975, 1976, and 1977.
  LCDR Zongrone also received the U.S. Navy Commendation Medal for her 
service in Operation Restore Hope in Somalia and her duties as the Navy 
Central Command's liaison to General Colin Powell's Farewell Tour. LCDR 
Zongrone received a Coast Guard Unit Commendation for her development 
of a joint anti-submarine warfare curriculum for the Coast Guard and 
the Navy; and the Humanitarian Service Medal for Operation Babylift, a 
U.S. initiative that airlifted over 2,500 Vietnamese orphans out of 
Vietnam after the war.
  In addition to her service to our great nation, once released from 
active duty by the U.S. Navy, LCDR Zongrone worked as a freelance 
producer, investigative reporter, technical writer for NASA, a teacher, 
and adjunct professor. In her post-military life, LCDR Zongrone won a 
Texas Gulf Coast Press Association Award, an Attaway Newspaper Group 
Color Photography Award, and was included in the 2005-2006 edition of 
Who's Who in American Teachers. Furthermore, due to her distinction and 
success, LCDR Zongrone currently serves on the Military Academy 
Selection Board of the Ninth Congressional District of Texas.
  Mr. Speaker, I am blessed to have the opportunity to pay tribute to 
such a selfless veteran as LCDR Zongrone. For those of us who know LCDR 
Zongrone, we are always in awe of her intelligence and willingness to 
serve worthy causes. It is an honor to know that as Americans and 
freedom-loving people, we owe our liberty and security to brave 
individuals like LCDR Zongrone, who put their liberty and security at 
risk for us.

                          ____________________