[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 17 (Thursday, January 28, 2016)]
[Senate]
[Pages S341-S342]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     TRIBUTE TO COLONEL JOHN NOVAK

 Mr. ISAKSON. Mr. President, I wish to pay tribute to COL John 
Novak for

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his past year of exemplary dedication to duty and service as an Army 
congressional liaison for the Chief of Army Reserve. In that role, he 
managed the operations and readiness portfolio for the Army Reserve. I 
am grateful that he will continue to serve the Army and Congress in his 
new assignment as commander, 361st Civil Affairs Brigade, in 
Kaiserslautern, Germany. We wish him well in his new position.
  A native of Ohio, Colonel Novak enlisted in the Army as a 
psychological operations specialist in the 21st Psychological 
Operations Company, Cleveland, OH. He graduated with honors from John 
Carroll University, magna cum laude, and the Reserve Officer Training 
Corps Program, distinguished military graduate, in 1991 and was 
commissioned into the infantry. Throughout his career, he also earned a 
master's degree in business and organizational security management from 
Webster University; a master's degree in legislative affairs from the 
George Washington University; a master's degree in strategic 
intelligence from the National Intelligence University, Defense 
Intelligence Agency; a master's degree in strategic studies from the 
U.S. Army War College; and associate of arts degrees in Russian studies 
and law enforcement.
  As an officer in the U.S. Army Reserve, Colonel Novak served with 
military intelligence, logistics, psychological operations, and civil 
affairs units at the platoon, detachment, company, battalion, group, 
and major command level as an executive officer, platoon leader, 
detachment commander, psychological operations officer, Product 
Development Center chief, logistics officer, assistant operations 
officer, S3, company commander, plans officer, operations officer, 
aide-de-camp, assistant chief of staff, and battalion commander.
  His service in the Army Reserve is highlighted by his selection in 
2009 to serve as an Army congressional fellow. While assigned to the 
Office, Chief of the Army Reserve from 2010 to 2012, Colonel Novak 
spent a year representing the Army to the Congress by working in the 
office of Senator Saxby Chambliss. Following the completion of 
battalion command, he returned once again to the Office, Chief Army 
Reserve to serve as a legislative liaison officer.
  As with all our citizen soldiers, it is important that we acknowledge 
his service in the civilian sector. Colonel Novak has extensive law 
enforcement experience, serving as both a municipal police officer in 
Ohio and as a Federal civilian special agent with the U.S. Air Force 
Office of Special Investigations. It is because of their cooperation 
and understanding during his many tours on Active Duty that he is able 
to make such a positive impact on the Army Reserve.
  John is accustomed to working long hours in all of his positions in 
the Army and civilian sector, so it is only fair and proper to 
acknowledge the tireless support of his wife Stacey and his children--
Patrick John Novak and Caitlin Lynn Novak. I thank them for their 
sacrifices and wish them all the best for continued success in the 
future.
  Throughout his 30-year career, COL John Novak has made positive 
impacts on the careers and lives of his soldiers, peers, and superiors; 
and I am grateful that he has chosen to serve as an Army leader. I join 
my colleagues today in honoring his dedication to our Nation and 
invaluable service to the U.S. Congress as an Army congressional 
liaison.

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