[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 144 (Thursday, September 22, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1340]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     RETIREMENT OF MR. HOWARD L. DONALDSON FROM GOVERNMENT SERVICE

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. DOUG LAMBORN

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 22, 2016

  Mr. LAMBORN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a great American on 
his ``third and final'' federal service retirement. Mr. Howard L. 
Donaldson achieved an impressive career serving our nation in both 
military and civilian capacities for almost 44 years. His superb 
military service began as an ROTC Army Artillery Officer in 1969, and 
continued following a break to earn a Juris Doctor degree (with Honors) 
from Golden Gate University, becoming barred in California. Mr. 
Donaldson returned to duty as an Air Force Staff Judge Advocate, 
serving in three Air Force wings, 16th Air Force, Headquarters Pacific 
Air Forces, Air Force and United States Special Operations Commands. He 
was a noted civil law instructor at the Air Force Judge Advocate 
General School, and a barred U.S. Supreme Court lawyer. Mr. Donaldson 
garnered several awards, including two ``Outstanding Judge Advocate of 
the Year'' command citations. As 16th Air Force Staff Judge Advocate 
Mr. Donaldson helped enforce the Dayton Peace Accords in the former 
Yugoslavian Republic air conflicts.
   After 28 years of active duty service, Colonel Donaldson postponed 
his retirement to take a final assignment as the HQ US Special 
Operations Command Staff Judge Advocate. He served until a mandatory 
retirement date, retiring the ``first'' time only to be recalled to 
active duty. His ``second'' military retirement occurred in June 2003, 
with nearly 31 years of military commissioned service to the nation. In 
June 2003 Mr. Donaldson then embarked on civilian service as counsel to 
NORAD/USNORTHCOM. He received the Armed Forces Civilian Service medal 
for his participation in the support of the Global War on Terrorism. He 
also provided invaluable legal advice to the commander during hurricane 
KATRINA, the Haiti earthquake, Russian Long-Range Aviation threat 
responses, North Korean missile launches, pandemic preparation, CONUS 
Natural Disaster coordination, and countless USNORTHCOM National 
Special Security Events.
   Howard and his supportive wife Sally have traveled the world and 
sacrificed in and out of uniform while serving our country. I salute 
this modern American patriot who has provided over four decades of 
federal contribution. Godspeed Howard and Sally in your ``final'' 
government retirement.

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