[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 79 (Thursday, May 21, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E777]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         HONORING LIEUTENANT GENERAL CHARLES `CHICK' CLEVELAND

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. MARTHA ROBY

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 21, 2015

  Mrs. ROBY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Lieutenant General 
Charles `Chick' Cleveland, one of our country's great fighter pilots, 
an American hero, and a community leader in Montgomery, Alabama.
   Lieutenant General Charles Cleveland was born in Honolulu, Hawaii in 
1927 and was appointed for service at the U.S. Military Academy in West 
Point, New York. After graduating in 1949, he began his service in what 
was then the Army Air Corps, eventually transitioning into service with 
the U.S. Air Force and serving overseas during the Korean War. Later, 
Gen. Cleveland earned his master's degree in political science from 
Xavier University in Cincinnati, and completed the advanced management 
program at Harvard University in 1969.
   In his more than 35 years of service, General Cleveland logged more 
than 4300 flying hours in military aircraft, including the F-86 Sabre. 
General Cleveland demonstrated a rarely-matched level of combat 
expertise, becoming one of our country's distinguished fighter aces. 
General Cleveland was credited with shooting down five enemy MiG-15 
aircraft in Korea, officially earning the designation as an `ace.'
   General Cleveland went on to a distinguished career in the United 
States Air Force, holding several command positions including Commander 
of Air University at Maxwell Air Force Base in my hometown of 
Montgomery, Alabama.
   Yesterday, the Congress awarded General Cleveland and all of the 
American Fighter Aces with the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest 
honor bestowed by Congress. I was honored to host General Cleveland in 
my office prior to the ceremony. My staff and I were privileged to 
spend time with this American hero and hear stories from his 
distinguished military service.
   But General Cleveland's public service did not end with his 
retirement from military duty.
   Since his retirement, General Cleveland has continued to devote 
countless hours to efforts to better his community, state, and country. 
After making Montgomery his family's home, he served as Director of the 
United Way, and led the Montgomery Area Food Bank. In 1989, he was 
chosen as Commissioner of the Alabama Department of Health and Human 
Services, serving through 1992.
   Most recently, his 17 years of service as the President of the 
Alabama World Affairs Council helped transform the institute into the 
largest organization of its kind in the South.
   The Alabama World Affairs Council is a fine organization which seeks 
to promote public awareness and understanding of international affairs 
as they relate to the political, economic, cultural, and military 
interests of the United States. The Alabama council is a member of the 
World Affairs Councils of America and is one of some 96 councils 
nationwide. Though General Cleveland is retiring from his position, he 
leaves an undeniable mark on the organization and its members who have 
benefited from his service.
   Mr. Speaker, it is my privilege to recognize Lieutenant General 
Cleveland--a distinguished fighter pilot, a public servant, a community 
leader, and an American hero. He has truly set an example for future 
generations of Americans to come, and it is my great honor to represent 
him here in Congress.

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