[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 120 (Tuesday, July 28, 2015)]
[House]
[Page H8532]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
TRIBUTE TO THE PASSING OF MAJOR GENERAL ANDREW COOLEY
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from
Colorado (Mr. Coffman) for 5 minutes.
Mr. COFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, today, I stand in recognition of the late
Major General Andrew Cooley, a dear friend and a tremendous patriot who
dedicated his life to serving our great Nation.
A true leader and a combat veteran, he faithfully served for 38
years, leading from the front and accomplishing much along the way. His
career was marked by several tours of duty at home and abroad,
including the command of an Army division, and he participated in
combat operations in Korea, Vietnam, Lebanon, Somalia, Bosnia, Kosovo,
and Angola.
In 1951, General Cooley enlisted in the United States Army at the age
of 17, and he went on to receive his commission after having
successfully completed Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning,
Georgia, in 1955, as a second lieutenant.
Over the course of his career, he served in various staff and command
positions, including as the principal representative of the Department
of Defense to the Lebanese-Israeli negotiations and as commanding
general of the 24th Infantry Division.
Upon retirement from the Army, General Cooley was instrumental in
instituting a forward-focused, logistical infrastructure that remains
instrumental to our Nation's defense.
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Without a doubt, General Cooley's many accomplishments deserve to be
honored. However, his accomplishments could only be realized with the
support and commitment of his wife of 57 years, Joan, and their two
children, Cathleen and Caroline.
Mr. Speaker, I stand here today humbled by the many accomplishments
of a true patriot. It is my great honor to recognize the late Major
General Andrew Cooley for his friendship and his service to our great
Nation.
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