[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 46 (Thursday, March 15, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E321-E322]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           HONORING THE RETIREMENT OF COLONEL JAMES D. DIGNAN

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. TIM RYAN

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 15, 2018

  Mr. RYAN of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize and honor 
the recent retirement of Colonel James Dignan from the United States 
Air Force and to congratulate him on his new role as President and 
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber 
in Ohio. Colonel Dignan concluded his service in the Air Force working 
in the office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for force 
readiness.
  Colonel Dignan received his commission through the Naval Aviation 
Cadet (NAVCAD) program at the Aviation Officer Candidate School at NAS 
Pensacola, Florida, and he received his ``Wings of Gold'' at NAS Corpus 
Christi, Texas. He has served as an officer and pilot in the United 
States Navy, Air National Guard, and Air Force Reserve. Colonel Dignan 
was a command pilot with more than 6,500 hours in trainer, patrol, 
reconnaissance, and airlift aircraft. He has flown more than 100 
hurricane penetration missions in the WC-130 and has flown combat-
support missions throughout the Balkans, the Horn of Africa, and 
Southwest Asia. Colonel Dignan was also the commander of the 910th 
Airlift Wing at the Youngstown Air Reserve Station in Youngstown, Ohio. 
Under his leadership, he oversaw more than 1,300 personnel and was in 
charge of operations which provided support for nearly 2,000 Air Force, 
Navy, and Marine Reservists.
  Now, Dignan will begin his new role as President and CEO of the 
Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber. He wanted to remain in Youngstown, 
Ohio with his wife and three daughters who also desired to stay in the 
Youngstown area. His new role will allow him to continue serving the 
Mahoning Valley region alongside the people he loves. Dignan's 
managerial skills along with his past association as a Chamber board 
member demonstrated his ability to hit the ground running. He will be 
an influential voice and leader within the community, and I am enthused 
to work with him in his new role.

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