[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 123 (Friday, August 1, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1307]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


IN RECOGNITION OF THE SERVICE OF GENERAL WILLIAM SHELTON TO THE UNITED 
        STATES AND THE CONSTITUENTS OF COLORADO'S FIFTH DISTRICT

                                  _____
                                 

                           HON. DOUG LAMBORN

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 31, 2014

  Mr. LAMBORN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize General William 
L. Shelton, Commander of Air Force Space Command, on the occasion of 
his retirement from the United States Air Force.
  Over the course of his 38-year career in the United States Air Force, 
General Shelton has served with great distinction and made countless 
sacrifices for our country. We commend his service; the sacrifices of 
his family in support of his service, including his wife Linda and 
their two children Sara and Joel; and must express our great 
appreciation for his leadership and devotion to our Nation's security.
  A graduate of the United States Air Force Academy, General Shelton's 
selection as the Commander of Air Force Space Command in January 2011 
culminates a distinguished career that began in 1976 at the Space and 
Missile Test Center at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California. In a 
career dedicated to the space enterprise, he commanded units at Falcon/
Schriever, F.E. Warren, Offutt, Vandenberg, and Peterson Air Force 
Bases. He also provided valuable leadership and counsel to the 
Secretary of the Air Force, Chief of Staff of the Air Force and Joint 
Staff community during multiple Headquarters U.S. Air Force 
assignments. His positive leadership directly influenced countless men 
and women in our Armed Forces, and the enduring effects of his service 
to our country will be felt for years to come.
  General Shelton has been a vigilant advocate for national security 
space programs. As the Commander of Air Force Space Command, he was 
responsible for organizing, training and equipping more than 40,000 
military and civilian personnel to assure space and cyberspace 
capabilities for the Combatant Commands and for the Nation. While space 
and cyberspace capabilities clearly contribute to making our military 
unmatched in combat operations, they also have become essential in 
humanitarian and disaster relief efforts and are now vital assets for 
the global community and world economy. Through his leadership, we 
enjoy unprecedented success in the areas of space launch and 
acquisition which have led to greater mission assurance and cost 
savings across the Department of Defense. Further, his vision on future 
space capabilities will position us to make the changes necessary to 
provide resilient, capable and affordable space capabilities for the 
joint force and the Nation well into the future.
  General Shelton established an unmatched and sustained level of 
success during a time of increasing challenges. He has worked closely 
with the House Armed Services Committee, and it has been my great 
pleasure to work with him in that important capacity. His frank and 
informed discussions on our space systems, particularly the Global 
Positioning Satellite system, have helped leaders and citizens around 
the world appreciate the value and need to protect our Nation's 
foundational space capabilities. As a member of the House Armed 
Services Subcommittee on Strategic Forces, I am grateful for General 
Shelton's wise counsel and firm resolve to always do what is best for 
the Nation and for the Airmen he has led.
  With nearly four decades of exemplary service to our Nation, General 
William L. Shelton deserves our most heartfelt gratitude and praise. 
Thank you, General Shelton--and best wishes to you and your family.

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