[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 147 (Tuesday, September 12, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1199]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





           HONORING COMMAND SERGEANT MAJOR WILLIAM CLARK, JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JIMMY PANETTA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 12, 2017

  Mr. PANETTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Command Sergeant 
Major William Clark, Jr. for his forty years of service to the 
California National Guard. Sgt. Clark has long demonstrated a 
commitment to this country and the state of California. Upon entering 
basic training at Fort Jackson, S.C. in 1974, Clark's sense of honor 
and duty was apparent as he voluntarily enlisted during a time when the 
armed forces draft was still well in place during the war in Vietnam. 
Recognizing the importance of developing specialized trade skills while 
simultaneously serving in the Army, Clark trained to be a contract 
construction engineer. He was subsequently stationed in Fort Ord on the 
central coast of California where he excelled as an engineer and met 
his wife Laurie, who also came from a military family. While by all 
accounts Sgt. Clark served his country selflessly, he maintains that 
his wife has sacrificed more throughout their marriage.
   After serving in the Army for three years, Sgt. Clark went on to 
start a career as a facilities engineer and eventually entered the 
federal workforce as a journeyman. However, as Sgt. Clark was preparing 
to leave active duty, a military recruiter convinced him to take a 
position with the National Guard. He started his National Guard service 
for the state of California with the 149th Armor Company, a unit he 
served with honorably, eventually earning the position of Platoon 
Sergeant. Clark continued his service by taking on various 
responsibilities with the California National Guard, serving as Command 
Sergeant Major in 1997, and eventually became ``Senior Enlisted 
Advisor'' to the Adjutant General in 2008. One of Sgt. Clark's most 
notable achievements came during his deployment to Kosovo with Brig. 
Gen. Jeffrey Gidley, the Deputy Commander of the California Army 
National Guard. For his service in Kosovo, Clark was awarded both the 
NATO Medal and Kosovo Campaign Medal. In addition to these awards, Sgt. 
Clark's achievements also include the Global War on Terrorism Service 
Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service 
Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Overseas Service Ribbon, Armed Forces 
Reserve Medal, and the National Defense Service Medal.
   In honor of his retirement, I would like to commend Command Sergeant 
Major William Clark, Jr. for his service. His local roots and long 
career of service and sacrifice to our country make me especially proud 
to recognize Sgt. Clark. His career is an example of selfless sacrifice 
and honor. I wish him the best in his retirement and am especially 
grateful for his contribution to the armed forces of the United States 
and the State of California.

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