[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 137 (Friday, August 18, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1137]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





  RECOGNIZING THE PROMOTION OF AIR FORCE LIEUTENANT GENERAL STAYCE D. 
                                 HARRIS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. KAREN BASS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, August 18, 2017

  Ms. BASS. Mr. Speaker, I would like to honor the accomplishments of 
Lieutenant General Stayce D. Harris, Assistant Vice Chief of Staff in 
the United States Air Force.
   Born in Los Angeles, California, to a military family, Stayce Harris 
grew up with a love for traveling. In 1977 she earned an Air Force 
Reserve Officer's Training Corps (ROTC) Scholarship to study 
engineering at the University of Southern California (USC).
   On graduation with a Bachelor of Science in Industrial and Systems 
Engineering in 1981, Harris received a commission in the United States 
Air Force. She served on active duty until 1991 when she joined the Air 
Force Reserve. Her military career spanning more than 35 years has 
included many ground-breaking firsts. For example, in January 2001, she 
became the first black woman to command a flying squadron in the Air 
Force. She has earned a number of decorations including the Defense 
Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit and Aerial Achievement Medal, 
to name only a few.
   Harris has sent an example for future generations of women in 
aviation and STEM fields, including through her involvement with 
professional associations, like the Air Force Association, Reserve 
Officers Association, Air Force Sergeants Association, Tuskegee Airmen 
Inc., Women Military Aviators, and the American Legion. Not only is she 
a decorated member of the military, she went on to fly in the private 
airline industry, one of the few female commercial pilots, and one of 
the first women to be an airline captain.
   On August 19, 2016 Harris was named Lieutenant General, thereby 
becoming the first African-American woman to hold a three star rank in 
the Air Force. Her leadership and accomplishments have led her alma 
mater, USC, to create the Stayce D. Harris Award. Every year, the award 
is given to an ROTC cadet who exhibits extraordinary perseverance in 
the face of adversity.
   Today, Harris continues to serve our country with grace and 
dedication. I wish her many years of continued success and achievement.

                          ____________________