[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 120 (Monday, July 17, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1001]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              IN HONOR OF MAJOR GENERAL ROBERT D. CARLSON

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. BARBARA COMSTOCK

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 17, 2017

  Mrs. COMSTOCK. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize Major General Robert 
D. Carlson, who departed from his role as Commander of the U.S. Army 
Corps of Engineers, Transatlantic Division, on July 14, 2017. Major 
General Carlson has dedicated his life to keeping this nation safe, and 
I am grateful for not only his outstanding service to our great nation, 
but also to the citizens of Virginia's 10th Congressional District in 
his capacity as commander of the Transatlantic Division, located in 
Winchester, Virginia.
  At a young age, Major General Carlson chose to pursue a career of 
service in defense of the freedoms that we cherish. This led him to 
attend the United States Military Academy where he earned a Bachelor of 
Science in general engineering. Upon graduation, Major General Carlson 
was commissioned into the Engineer Regiment and later received a Master 
of Science in engineering management from the University of Missouri 
and a Master of Arts in strategic studies from the United States Army 
War College (USAWC) at Carlisle, Pennsylvania.
  Throughout his distinguished career, Major General Carlson has served 
in numerous command and staff positions from company-to division-level 
units. Before assuming his current position, some of Major General 
Carlson's assignments include commanding the 372nd Engineer Brigade and 
the Contingency Response Unit, 416th Theater Engineer Command, and 
serving as the Chief of Staff, U.S. Agency for International 
Development. The colossal amount of prestigious awards and decorations 
that he has attained are illustrative manifestations of his heroic 
service and devotion to this nation. These honors, among others, 
include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service 
Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Commendation Medal with three 
Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Achievement Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters, 
Department of State Meritorious Honor Award, Armed Forces Expeditionary 
Medal with Bronze Service Star, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Bronze 
Service Star, Global War on Terror Service Medal, NATO-SFOR (Balkans) 
Medal, NATO-ISAF (Afghanistan) Medal, Parachutist Badge, Air Assault 
Badge, and the Engineer Regiment Bronze DeFleury Medal.
  Under his esteemed leadership as commander of the Transatlantic 
Division, he oversaw both the USACE Contingency Construction Program 
and the Associated Foreign Military Sales Construction Programs, which 
provided vital facilities for U.S. Forces and our allies throughout the 
Middle East. Additionally, Major General Carlson has also been a 
proponent of increasing awareness of and expanding opportunities for 
today's youth in the Science, Engineering and Technical career fields 
and has been involved in STEM-related events, such as National Engineer 
Week and TAM-sponsored STEM events in the Winchester area.
  Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the entire 10th District, I would like to 
express my gratitude to Major General Carlson for his dedicated career 
of service, and I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing such a 
truly commendable figure. I wish him and his wife, Valerie, and their 
three children, Cody, Chad, and Camie, all the best as he moves on to 
his next assignment.

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