[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 197 (Thursday, December 13, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1665]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               TRIBUTE IN HONOR OF RONALD G. RATLIFF, JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. HAROLD ROGERS

                              of kentucky

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, December 13, 2018

  Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to 
Chief Ronald G. Ratliff, Jr., for his life of service to our nation in 
the United States Navy.
   Chief Ratliff, coming from a family of coal miners in Elkhorn City, 
Kentucky, raised his right hand to enlist in the United States Navy in 
1995. For the last 23 years, Ronnie has served with distinction--both 
here at home and around the world, charging forward as his career in 
the Navy legal field took him from Kentucky to Rhode Island and 
California to Guam, with deployments in between. Following the 
completion of Navy legal training in Rhode Island, his first assignment 
was in San Diego, where he provided critical legal assistance to our 
sailors and marines. He was then sent to Guam, where he handled all 
military justice matters for the command.
   Chief Ratliff returned to San Diego to serve as a Discipline Officer 
and paralegal to the Commander of the Navy Region Southwest, before 
volunteering to deploy in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He served 
two additional deployments, and was promoted to Chief Petty Officer. 
Given his great success, Chief Ratliff was given the opportunity to 
attend the United States Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer's Academy in 
California, representing the Navy and maintaining the strong 
relationship with the Coast Guard. He was then sent to Walter Reed 
National Military Medical Center, where he served as Staff Judge 
Advocate LCPO and Discipline Officer.
   In 2014, Chief Ratliff was selected as the U.S. Navy's first 
enlisted member of its prestigious Defense Fellow program with the 
Office of Legislative Affairs. Chief Ratliff first served in the office 
of my friend from California, Congresswoman Susan Davis. During his 
time in Congresswoman Davis's office, Chief Ratliff provided critical 
counsel and assistance in helping Congresswoman Davis achieve her goals 
on the House Armed Services Committee. Upon completion of the 
fellowship in 2016, Chief Ratliff joined the Navy Office of Legislative 
Affairs as a Congressional Liaison Officer. In this role, Chief Ratliff 
has served as a critical resource, helping members of Congress and 
their staffs understand the critical issues facing the U.S. Navy and 
its sailors. He has also escorted countless Members of Congress, 
personal staff and professional staff on Congressional Delegations or 
Staff Delegations within the United States and around the world, 
advancing the mission of the U.S. Navy.
   As a fellow Kentuckian, I could not be more proud of the career of 
Chief Ronnie Ratliff. It is honorable servicemen like Chief Ratliff who 
inspire us each and every day, and I wish him all the best as he enters 
into retirement. Congratulations, Chief Ratliff, and God speed.

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