[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 187 (Wednesday, November 28, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1564]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        TRIBUTE TO MAJOR, U.S. ARMY, RETIRED, TRUDY LEE CALDWELL

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. GWEN MOORE

                              of wisconsin

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 28, 2018

  Ms. MOORE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Trudy Lee Caldwell. 
She was a veteran, social justice activist, devoted daughter and 
sister. Trudy was born on September 19, 1967, and passed away at the 
age of 51 on November 7, 2018.
  She was born in Madden, Mississippi, raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin 
and graduated from James Madison High School. She enlisted in the 
United States Army in 1985 after graduating from high school. At the 
end of her initial enlistment, Trudy attended and graduated from 
Fayetteville State University (FSU) cum laude. While in attendance at 
FSU she served as both Student Government Association Present and 
student representative on the University's Board of Trustees, became a 
member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., and participated in the 
Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) Program and was commissioned as 
a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army Quartermaster Corps.
  Trudy Caldwell's assignments during her military service spanned the 
globe and only accentuated her worldwide perspective in approaching 
issues. She was selected for the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), Office of 
the Secretary of Defense Internship Program. This internship Program 
led to assignments with the Joint Staff and the Army's Congressional 
Liaison Office. It was my pleasure to first meet Trudy while she was 
assigned to the U.S. House of Representatives as part of the Army's 
Congressional Liaison Office in 2004. Under the auspices of the JCS, 
Office of the Secretary of Defense Internship Program, Trudy completed 
her Master's Degree from Georgetown University's highly venerated 
McCourt School of Public Policy. She also served a work placement in my 
congressional office as part of her graduate studies concentrating on 
Veteran's Issues; Trudy was a valuable asset bringing her knowledge and 
years of military service to assist the staff and constituents of the 
4th Congressional District.
  Major Caldwell lived life to the fullest and I was pleased to 
celebrate her 50th birthday with her and other friends two years ago in 
Milwaukee. Trudy achieved one of her goals to establish the Myrick 
Woodley Leadership Institute. The Institute mission is to inspire and 
empower youth in the greater Milwaukee area to develop to pursue STEM 
careers in nontraditional sectors. Youth would be exposed to 
opportunities at home in Washington, DC. The youth would become 
informed and engaged world citizens and leaders while carrying out her 
vision greater exposure and growth for youth. Major Caldwell retired 
from active duty in 2009 after an accumulated service of 20 years. 
After retirement, she continued her public service as a Department the 
Army Civilians and worked for the Office of the Deputy Assistant 
Secretary of the Army in procurement where she worked until her 
transition.
  She leaves behind many friends, admirers and family members to mourn 
her passing including: her mother Eliza B. Myrick; sisters Hope Myrick 
and Charlotte Woodley, a niece and nephew. Major Trudy Lee Caldwell 
made a positive impact on Milwaukee Wisconsin and the world. I am proud 
to call Trudy my friend. Mr. Speaker, for these reasons I rise to pay 
tribute to a woman whose legacy will continue to benefit the Fourth 
Congressional District for years.

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