[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 89 (Thursday, June 20, 2013)]
[Senate]
[Page S4789]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                TRIBUTE TO COLONEL HAROLD R. VAN OPDORP

  Mr. ROBERTS. Mr. President, I rise today to honor a true patriot, and 
fellow U.S. Marine, Col. Harold R. Van Opdorp. While some know him as 
``Odie'' and others as Colonel V, we all know him as Marine. After more 
than 3 years of service leading the Marine Corps' Office of Legislative 
Affairs in the U.S. Senate, Colonel Van Opdorp has assumed the 
responsibilities as commanding officer of the Marine Corps' Officer 
Candidate School. I would like to recognize Colonel Van Opdorp's 
distinguished service and dedication to fostering a relationship of 
mutual benefit between the U.S. Marine Corps and the U.S. Senate.
  With more than 2 decades of dedicated service to his country, Colonel 
Van Opdorp has selflessly given to the cause of freedom across the 
globe, from Somalia to Iran, from Norway to the South Pacific. His 
service leading young Marines as a platoon, company, and battalion 
commander, in garrison and in combat, is emblematic of the caliber of 
his character. His diverse service reflects the traditions of the 
Eagle, Globe, and Anchor that he wears and the nature of the Corps.
  Over the course of the last 3 years, Colonel Van Opdorp has been 
instrumental to facilitating the oversight responsibilities of the 
Senate. Known for his in-depth knowledge of legislative issues and the 
operational requirements of the Marine Corps, he ensured that Members 
of the U.S. Senate with an interest in national security were armed 
with timely information on Operation Enduring Freedom, humanitarian 
assistance in Haiti, flood relief operations in Pakistan, Marine 
Security Guards at our diplomatic missions around the globe, and other 
forward-deployed Marine forces. Colonel Van Opdorp worked hard to 
ensure all Senators were fully briefed of the programs which make our 
Corps special, programs such as the Joint Strike Fighter, the 
Amphibious Combat Vehicle, and the MV-22 Osprey. In 2011, I had the 
pleasure of working closely with Colonel Van Opdorp during our efforts 
to recognize the significant contributions of the Montford Point 
Marines, our Nation's first African American Marines, with the 
Congressional Gold Medal.
  Colonel Van Opdorp's absence will be felt in the Senate. I join many 
past and present Senators in my gratitude and appreciation for his 
outstanding leadership and unwavering support of the missions of the 
U.S. Marine Corps. I know my colleagues on the Senate Armed Services 
Committee wholeheartedly join me in this tribute. I wish Colonel Van 
Opdorp and his wife, Rebecca, fair winds and following seas as he 
continues to serve his Nation, charged with the great responsibility of 
molding our future Marine Officers. ``Ooh-rah'' and Semper Fi, Marine.

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