[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 176 (Tuesday, October 31, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1472]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          HONORING LARRY ODOM

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. TOM GRAVES

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 31, 2017

  Mr. GRAVES of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the service 
of retired Colonel Larry Odom. Colonel Odom will be retiring from his 
position on the Cedartown City Commission at the end of his term this 
month.
  Colonel Odom grew up in Cedartown, Georgia, and attended Berry 
College in Rome, Georgia, graduating with a degree in Mathematics. He 
later received a graduate degree in Management from William Carey 
College in Hattiesburg, Mississippi.
  Colonel Odom served in the United States Air Force for just shy of 28 
years, flying in combat over Southeast Asia, and later contributing to 
the maintenance of the Strategic Air Command's nuclear deterrent force.
  During this time he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, the 
Meritorious Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, and the Legion of 
Merit Award.
  Colonel Odom established Operation Warm Heart while serving at Minot 
Air Force Base. Operation Warm Heart was created to serve the 
dependents of those deployed to Operation Desert Storm, and was later 
expanded into a state-wide program that is still in operation today.
  After his retirement from the Air Force, Colonel Odom returned home 
to Cedartown, where he has worked to improve his community. In the time 
since he left the military, Colonel Odom has served as Director of Polk 
County E-911 and on the Cedartown City Commission for over a decade.
  His service on the Cedartown City Commission is marked by four years 
as commission chairman, in the period of 2008-2010 and 2016.
  I am proud today to recognize Colonel Odom's time in public service 
and his contributions to the people of Georgia.
  I'd like to close by thanking Larry for his service to his country 
and community.

                          ____________________