[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 166 (Friday, October 5, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1366]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         MR. RAY FITZGERALD'S REMARKABLE SERVICE TO HIS COUNTRY

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. MO BROOKS

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 5, 2018

  Mr. BROOKS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in order to 
recognize the remarkable career of a great American, Mr. Ray 
Fitzgerald, a distinguished member of the Senior Executive Service, 
upon the occasion of his retirement after 46 years of selfless service 
to our nation. A highly respected leader, Ray Fitzgerald has made 
immeasurable contributions to the warfighter and the military community 
as a whole.
  Mr. Fitzgerald had an exemplary military career. Upon graduating from 
the University of Alabama in 1972, he entered the U.S. Army. Rising to 
the rank of Colonel, his assignments included; Chief of Staff of the 
deployed 101st Airborne Division Task Force in Kosovo; Commander of the 
101st Airborne Division Garrison at Fort Campbell, Ky.; Chief of Staff 
and Deputy Commander of the Joint Readiness Training Center at Fort 
Polk, La.; senior brigade observer/controller at the Joint Readiness 
Training Center (JRTC); and Commander of U.S. Forces in the Balkans 
(Bosnia). Mr. Fitzgerald also commanded the 1st Battalion, 50 8th 
Infantry (Airborne) during Operation Just Cause.
  Mr. Fitzgerald was appointed to the Senior Executive Service after 30 
years of Active Duty service as an Army Infantry Officer. He has led 
organizations at every level, culminating in his assignment as the Vice 
Director of the Joint Improvised-Threat Defeat Organization (JIDO).
  Mr. Fitzgerald served with distinction as the Deputy Director for 
Interagency and Interdepartmental Cooperation at the Joint Improvised 
Explosive Device Defeat Organization (JIEDDO) and was the Department of 
Defense Executive Manager detailed to the FBI's Terrorist Explosive 
Device Analytical Center (TEDAC), Quantico, VA. There he supported 
TEDAC's mission to eradicate the lED threat by providing scientific and 
technical exploitation, actionable intelligence, timely responses to 
requests and forecasting worldwide threats. While assigned to JIEDDO 
and JIDO, Mr. Fitzgerald has deployed multiple times to both Iraq and 
Afghanistan. His most recent deployment to Iraq in 2016 was as the 
Senior Coalition Advisor for the security of Baghdad. His 2014 
deployment to Afghanistan was as the Senior Coalition Advisor/Mentor to 
the Afghanistan National Security Advisor.
  Prior to JIDO, Mr. Fitzgerald served at the Department of State, 
where he was the Chief of Staff for the Bureau of Resource Management. 
His State Department duties also included two 18 month tours in 
Afghanistan and Iraq, where he served as the senior State Department 
representative responsible for Afghanistan Police Reform and as the 
political advisor (POLAD) to Task Force 714.
  Ray Fitzgerald is the best friend a Warfighter ever had. He is a 
passionate, selfless leader who has devoted his life and energies to 
ensuring Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines receive the best 
possible training, equipment, intelligence, and tactical support. While 
serving with JIDO, he has applied his extensive military background and 
knowledge to a myriad of material and non-material problem sets. His 
tenure spanned some of the most dangerous and critical periods in our 
Nation's fight against terrorism. As an aside, Mr. Fitzgerald never 
avoided a difficult task or assignment, tackled every complex problem, 
and consistently made a difference for deployed Warfighters.
  Our Nation's history is grounded in the efforts of those like Ray 
Fitzgerald, who have served this nation with great distinction. He 
exemplifies what it means to commit one's life to his country and has 
more than earned our admiration and respect. Mr. Fitzgerald leaves a 
legacy of service that will most certainly serve as an inspiration to 
others for years to come.
  My fellow colleagues, please join me in congratulating Mr. Ray 
Fitzgerald as he enters the next chapter of his life.

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