    [Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 6 (Wednesday, January 10, 2018)]
    [House]
    [Pages H88-H89]
    From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

                     HONORING SERGEANT MAJOR ROBERT HAWKINS

      The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from
    Minnesota (Mr. Walz) for 5 minutes.
      Mr. WALZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Sergeant Major
    Robert Hawkins of the United States Army for his extraordinary
    dedication to duty and service to our Nation. Sergeant Major Hawkins
    will soon transition from his current assignment as an Army
    Congressional Legislative Liaison Officer in the House of
    Representatives to serve in the Office of the Assistant Secretary of
    the Army for Acquisition, Logistics, and Technology.
      A native of Alexandria, Virginia, Sergeant Major Hawkins began his
    military career as an airborne infantryman in 1990. He subsequently
    served in assignments to the Republic of Panama; Fort Myers, Florida;
    Schofield Barracks, Hawaii; Fort Polk, Louisiana; Fort Bliss, Texas;
    Fort Campbell, Kentucky; and three times at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
      Sergeant Major Hawkins has served in multiple leadership and staff
    positions throughout his distinguished career. His combat deployments
    include one tour in Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and
    three tours of combat in Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring
    Freedom.
      In 2014, Sergeant Major Hawkins was selected as a fellow in the Army
    Congressional Fellowship Program. He subsequently served 12 months as a
    defense legislative fellow in my congressional office, representing the
    First Congressional District of Minnesota.
      While working on our team, I came to know Sergeant Major Hawkins as a
    shining example of the Army values set forth in the Noncommissioned
    Officer's Creed. ``Competence'' is indeed Sergeant Major Hawkins'
    watchword, and his commitment to doing what good NCOs do, accomplishing
    every mission, while taking care of his teammates, was second to none.
      For the next 2 years, Sergeant Major Hawkins served as a
    Congressional Legislative Liaison Officer in the United States Army
    House Liaison Division. As the primary link between House Members,
    their staff, and the committees, along with the Army, he has provided
    insight and understanding

    [[Page H89]]

    of Army policies, actions, operations, and requirements. His firsthand
    knowledge of the military, its culture, and its tradition has been of
    tremendous value to congressional offices.
      Sergeant Major Hawkins was especially effective in his service to
    Members and staff as he escorted them on fact-finding and oversight
    delegations within and outside the United States. Members and staff
    found him to be a thoughtful, intelligent, dedicated soldier in the
    very best traditions of America's Armed Forces.

      Mr. Speaker, it has been a pleasure to know and serve with Sergeant
    Major Hawkins during his time as Army Congressional Fellow and
    Congressional Legislative Liaison Officer in the House of
    Representatives.
      On behalf of a grateful nation, it is my honor to recognize the
    selfless service and sacrifice of Sergeant Major Robert ``Bobby''
    Hawkins and his family. I wish Sergeant Major Hawkins the very best as
    he begins a new chapter of dedicated service to our Nation in the
    United States Army.

                              ____________________