[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 1 (Tuesday, January 6, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E13]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




TRIBUTE TO MAJOR JACOB ``JAKE'' A. WHITESIDE FOR EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE TO 
                         THE UNITED STATES ARMY

                                  _____
                                 

                        HON. PETER J. VISCLOSKY

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, January 6, 2015

  Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to Major Jacob 
``Jake'' A. Whiteside for his dedication to duty and service as a 
Defense Legislative Fellow. Major Whiteside will be transitioning from 
his present assignment with my office to serve as the Executive Officer 
for the 12th Aviation Battalion, United States Army.
  A native of Memphis, Tennessee, Major Whiteside was accepted into the 
Carson-Newman University Reserve Officer Training Corps program in 
1999, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English Literature 
and graduated as a Distinguished Military Graduate with the class of 
2003. Upon graduation, Jake was commissioned as an Army Aviation Branch 
Officer. He has subsequently earned a Master's degree in Legislative 
Affairs from the George Washington University.
  Prior to entering the Army Congressional Fellowship Program, Jake 
served in numerous tactical leadership and staff assignments as an Army 
Aviation Branch Officer, and Scout/Attack OH-58 helicopter Pilot. Major 
Whiteside's assignments include Flight School Student, United States 
Army Aviation Center of Excellence, Fort Rucker; Flight Platoon Leader, 
1st Battalion (Attack), 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade, Fort Bragg; 
Future Operations and Current Operations Officer, 1st Squadron, 17th 
CAV, Fort Bragg; Headquarters Troop Commander, 1st Squadron, 17th CAV, 
Fort Bragg; Student, Army Aviation Captain's Career Course, Army 
Aviation Center of Excellence, Fort Rucker; and most recently Aviation 
Branch Representative, United States Military Academy, West Point. 
Additionally, Major Whiteside was deployed in direct support of combat 
operations in Mosul, Iraq, in 2006-2007, and Regional Command--South, 
Afghanistan, in 2009-2010. While deployed, Jake accumulated over 500 
hours of combat flight time in direct support of soldiers in the fight.
  Throughout his career, Major Whiteside has positively impacted his 
soldiers, peers, and superiors. Our country has been enriched by his 
extraordinary leadership, thoughtful judgment, and exemplary work.
  As a personal matter, in his role as Defense Legislative Fellow, Jake 
provided me with candid advice and became a trusted source of counsel 
to me, my personal staff, and committee staff. Blessed with a sterling 
intellect and nimble mind, he vigorously and effectively addressed any 
challenging task placed before him. Further, his incomparable work 
ethic, poise under pressure, and generosity will be sorely missed. To 
put it simply, Major Whiteside's performance has set a standard on 
which I will evaluate all future Congressional Fellows.
  Mr. Speaker, it has been a genuine pleasure to have worked with Major 
Jake Whiteside over the last year. On behalf of a grateful nation, I 
join my colleagues today in recognizing and commending Jake for his 
service to his country and we wish him, his wife Marci, and boys, Bryce 
and Gavin, all the best as they continue their journey in the United 
States Army.

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