[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 173 (Monday, December 9, 2013)]
[Senate]
[Page S8561]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                   TRIBUTE TO MAJOR TOBY M. WILLIFORD

 Mr. BEGICH. Madam President, I wish to pay tribute to MAJ Toby 
M. Williford for his exceptional dedication to duty and service to the 
U.S. Army and to the United States of America. Toby has served for the 
last 2 years as a congressional budget liaison for the Secretary of the 
Army and will soon depart for his next duty assignment.
  A native of Hobbs, NM, Toby earned his commission from Tarleton State 
University in 2003. Major Williford's assignments have been diverse and 
include 24 months of combat experience. While a lieutenant, he served 
in F Company, 1-66 Armor Battalion and Headquarters and Headquarters 
Company 4th Forward Support Battalion as a platoon leader, executive 
officer, and support operations officer, both stateside and in combat 
during Operation Iraqi Freedom. After promotion to captain, Toby served 
in the 17th Combat Support Sustainment Battalion as commander of the 
539th Transportation Company and deployed to Kuwait for his second 
combat tour.
  After returning from his second deployment, Toby began his studies as 
an Army congressional fellow, earning a master's of professional 
studies in legislative affairs from the George Washington University. 
He was then assigned as a congressional fellow in my office in 2011. 
Toby was subsequently assigned as a congressional budget liaison 
officer in the office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army for 
Financial Management and Comptroller with responsibility for the 
ammunition and missile procurement portfolios. Toby advised the Army's 
senior leaders, fostering and strengthening the relationship between 
Congress and the U.S. Army.
  Major Williford's leadership throughout his career has positively 
impacted his peers and superiors, soldiers and civilians alike. As a 
congressional budget liaison officer, he worked directly with the House 
and Senate Appropriations Committees to educate and inform 
Representatives, Senators, and staff about the diverse and important 
ammunition and missile procurement initiatives of the U.S. Army.
  On behalf of a grateful nation, I join my colleagues today in 
recognizing and commending MAJ Toby M. Williford for over a decade of 
active service to his country in the U.S. Army. We wish Toby, his wife 
Amanda, and their four children, Addison, Aubrey, Tate, and Alyssa, all 
the best as they continue their journey of service to our great 
Nation.

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