[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 107 (Friday, July 10, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1034]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 HONORING THE DEDICATED SERVICE OF LIEUTENANT COLONEL ERIC A. GIVENS, 
                       UNITED STATES ARMY RESERVE

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. GERALD E. CONNOLLY

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, July 10, 2015

  Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I rise to 
recognize the dedicated service of Lieutenant Colonel Eric A. Givens 
while serving with the Legislative Affairs Division at the Office of 
the Chief of Army Reserve from May 19, 2014, until March 8, 2015. 
During that short time, Eric made a lasting and positive impact on the 
Army Reserve through his efforts to foster and maintain relationships 
with Congressional members and staff.
  As lead legislative liaison for military readiness and operations 
programs, Eric ensured that Army Reserve Soldiers' interests were 
clearly communicated to Members of Congress and their staffs as they 
considered the impacts of pending legislation. Additionally, Eric led 
efforts to draft, refine, and promote Administration-approved 
legislative proposals designed to ensure the well-being of Army Reserve 
Soldiers and to maintain the high-quality force the Nation has come to 
expect from its Army Reserve.
  Ever the professional Soldier, LTC Givens arrived at the Legislative 
Affairs Division with nearly three decades of Army Reserve service that 
began with his enlistment in 1985. He received his commission as an 
officer in 1990 and joined the Active Guard and Reserve program in 
1995. His years of experience in the field and as a staff officer at 
the Pentagon made him an invaluable resource to the Legislative Affairs 
Division, as his well-developed relationships bore fruit on a daily 
basis.
  LTC Givens' presence in the office and on Capitol Hill brought joy to 
all who worked with him, and he will no doubt take that same spirit 
with him wherever his Army Reserve career leads. The Army Reserve's 
Legislative Affairs Division will remember him as a tireless proponent 
of Army Reserve equities, and as a Soldier who represents the best of 
what America has to offer.
  The 11th Congressional District of Virginia has one of the highest 
veteran and military populations in the United States. As 
Representative of this district, it is critical that I receive accurate 
and timely information so that I can best represent the needs of our 
service members and ensure that they and their families receive the 
protections and benefits that they have earned. This would not be 
possible without the invaluable contributions of men and women like LTC 
Givens who tirelessly and effectively communicate with our office and 
advocate for their fellow soldiers.
  On behalf of the United States Congress and the residents of the 11th 
District, I congratulate and thank LTC Givens and his wife, Lisa, for 
their service to our country and wish them the best for continued 
success.

                          ____________________