[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 121 (Wednesday, July 29, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1159]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


   IN RECOGNITION OF COLONEL RICK HARNEY, JR. ON THE OCCASION OF HIS 
                 RETIREMENT FROM THE UNITED STATES ARMY

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                           HON. LOU BARLETTA

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 29, 2015

  Mr. BARLETTA. Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to recognize Colonel Rick 
Harney, Jr. on the occasion of his retirement from the United States 
Army. Throughout his 37 year career, Col. Harney has selflessly served 
our country and community; namely, during the time he spent as Director 
of the United States Army Heritage and Education Center (USAHEC) at the 
Carlisle Barracks, which I am honored to represent. USAHEC is a 
tremendous institution within my congressional district charged with 
educating members of our Armed Forces and honoring soldiers--past and 
present.
   Col. Harney enlisted in the Army in August of 1978. In 1987, after 
matriculating from the United States Officer Candidate School in Fort 
Benning, Georgia as a Distinguished Military Graduate, he received his 
commission as a Field Artillery Lieutenant. He has undertaken many 
notable assignments, including Assistant Commandant and Chief at the 
United States Army Quartermaster School in Fort Lee, Virginia, and 
Commander of the Defense Distribution Center at the Anniston Army Depot 
in Alabama. Such roles have enabled Col. Harney to positively influence 
his colleagues, as well as the future strategic leaders of our 
military.
   A Magna Cum Laude graduate from Hawaii Pacific University with a 
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, he also holds an 
impressive number of advanced degrees, including a Master of Business 
Administration from Webster University, a Master of Military Arts and 
Science from the United States Army Command and General Staff College, 
and a Master of Strategic Studies from the Air War College. In addition 
to his academic success, Col. Harney has received an extensive amount 
of awards and decorations. These include the Legion of Merit, Defense 
Meritorious Service Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Meritorious 
Service Medal with Silver Oak Leaf Cluster, Joint Service Commendation 
Medal, Army Commendation Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters, Joint 
Service Achievement Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Achievement 
Medal with five Oak Leaf Clusters, Joint Meritorious Unit Award with 
Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Superior Unit Award, Master Parachutist Badge, 
Air Assault Badge, and Parachute Rigger Badge. Such accolades are 
indicative of the high caliber of his dedicated service to our nation.
   On July 7th, 2014, Col. Harney assumed duties as the Director of the 
USAHEC at the Carlisle Barracks in my congressional district. As an 
instructor and educator, Col. Harney has significantly improved the 
experiences of his fellow instructors and students. The initiatives and 
programs he has implemented have shaped the lives of the future leaders 
of our military, and have enhanced the effectiveness of the United 
States Army War College. Even though he will no longer be present at 
USAHEC on a day-to-day basis, his legacy will inevitably carry on.
   Mr. Speaker, I am humbled to congratulate Col. Harney on the 
culmination of a distinguished, 37 year career in the United States 
Army. I hope that he will celebrate the occasion in the company of his 
wife, Leslie, his children, Dominick, Aerin, Marc, and Ashley, and his 
grandchildren, Izumi, Eugene, Marc, Marvelo, Mecca, Ayrielle, and 
Ash'kelon. I wish him all the best in this next chapter of his life.

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