[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 121 (Wednesday, July 29, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1157]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




CONGRATULATING JOHN S. LIZAMA ON HIS PROMOTION TO BRIGADIER GENERAL IN 
                      THE UNITED STATES AIR FORCE

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. MADELEINE Z. BORDALLO

                                of guam

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 29, 2015

  Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Johnny S. Lizama 
of the village of Santa Rita on his promotion to the rank of Brigadier 
General of the Guam Air National Guard. Brigadier General Lizama is the 
Director of Staff for Air, Joint Forces Headquarters, Guam National 
Guard. He was appointed to serve as the Assistant Adjutant General-Air 
Force by Governor Eddie Baza Calvo.
   Brigadier General Lizama began his military career in June 1977 
after enlisting in the United States Coast Guard. In December 1982, he 
enlisted in the Air Force and reported to Eglin Air Force Base as a 
Direct Duty Assignment Interior Electrician with the 3202nd Civil 
Engineering Squadron. He later served as a Manpower Management 
Technician with Detachment 6, 3904th Management Squadron at Beale Air 
Force Base, California, during his last two years of active duty 
service. In 1988, Brigadier General Lizama separated from the Air Force 
and returned to Guam, where he joined the Guam Air National Guard and 
served as the 254th Services Flight Superintendent until 1992.
   In 1992, Brigadier General Lizama was commissioned in the Guam Air 
National Guard as Personnel Programs Officer for the 254th Air Base 
Group and later as Director of Personnel for the Active Guard Reserve. 
As Director of Personnel, he administered a range of personnel programs 
to include procurement, professional development, recruitment and 
retention programs, and support for contingency operations, among other 
major responsibilities.
   From 2002 to 2006, Brigadier General Lizama was the comptroller for 
the 254th Air Base Group with oversight of $2.1M in appropriated funds, 
whose financial management expertise was instrumental in the planning 
and standup of the 254th Security Forces Squadron. As commander of the 
254th Air Base Group from August 2007 to September 2013, he was 
responsible for the command and control of Guam Air National Guard's 
units and activities and their maximum readiness capabilities.
   Brigadier General Lizama is a 1977 alumnus of Father Duenas Memorial 
High School in Tai, Guam. He received a Bachelors degree in Management 
from the University of Guam and Masters degrees in Public 
Administration and Human Resources from Golden Gate University. 
Additionally, Brigadier General Lizama enrolled and successful 
completed Air War College.
   I extend my congratulations to Johnny S. Lizama on his promotion to 
Brigadier General, and I join the people of Guam in commending him for 
his service to our nation and island. Brigadier General Lizama's 
promotion marks an important milestone in the history of the Guam 
National Guard. Finding qualified officers to serve in Assistant 
Adjutant General positions ensures that the vision and intent of the 
Guard Empowerment Act is being fulfilled on Guam. This will provide 
greater professional development for well qualified officers in the 
Guam National Guard.
   Moreover, this is a historic occasion for our island as Brigadier 
General Lizama is the first Chamorro Airman to be promoted and 
federally recognized at the rank of brigadier general in the Guam Air 
National Guard and the United States Air Force. I also extend my 
congratulations to his wife, Dee, and their four children, Keith and 
his wife Paul Jean, Kimberly and her husband Jonathan, Brother Cody, 
OFM Cap., and Rico as well as to his two grandchildren, Taehlyn-Jean 
and Urijah John. I wish him the best on this important achievement.

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