[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 156 (Thursday, September 28, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1287]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    HONORING RETIRED ARMY LIEUTENANT COLONEL HAROLD T. RIGGINS, III

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MARSHA BLACKBURN

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 28, 2017

  Mrs. BLACKBURN. Mr. Speaker, today we honor retired Army Lieutenant 
Colonel Harold T. Riggins, III, decorated combat soldier, community 
trailblazer, and passionate advocate for veterans transitioning from 
military to civilian life.
  During 27 years of active military duty--first as an enlisted 
Sergeant, then as an officer--LTC (R) Riggins deployed with the 101st 
Airborne Division for two tours in Iraq, earning distinction as a 
proven combat leader. For his outstanding service, he was awarded the 
Legion of Merit, two Bronze Stars, coveted Ranger Tab, and multiple 
medals and badges.
  While working post-retirement as program director for the Soldier for 
Life-Transition Assistance Program (SFL-TAP), he personally walked 
38,000 Fort Campbell soldiers, hand-in-hand, through one of the 
toughest processes they experience at the end of their careers. Working 
with multiple city, county and state governments, and thousands of 
companies in a one-stop facility, he delivered a ``smooth takeoff'' for 
each of the 400 soldiers transitioning monthly from the Army, helping 
them successfully move into the National Guard and Reserves, higher 
education, civilian or self-employment worldwide, while learning to 
plan financially and utilize federal and state benefits. His servant 
attitude, superior management, and infinite compassion make him an 
inspirational model for military personnel nearing end of service.
  Leadership is not as it appears, but as it performs. We now celebrate 
LTC (R) Riggins, who for seven dynamic years ensured the 1 percent of 
Americans who sacrificed to serve our nation thrive in the communities 
they love.

                          ____________________