[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 180 (Tuesday, November 12, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1416]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       HONORING MARINE RETIRED CWO-3 WARRANT OFFICER DANIEL PAYNE

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JIM COSTA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 12, 2019

  Mr. COSTA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize my dear friend 
Mr. Daniel ``Dan'' Payne as he is honored as the 2019 Grand Marshal for 
the 100th Anniversary of the Central Valley Veterans Day Parade 
(CVVDP). Dan has dedicated his life to his country and the people of 
the Central Valley.
  Dan was born in San Jose, California to Frank and Ubelia Payne on 
August 16, 1954. He attended local schools while working in the fields 
picking apricots and other fruits. He attended college but soon changed 
course. He enlisted into the Marine Corps in 1973, inspired by a 
television commercial about the branch. Dan told his then-girlfriend 
and now wife of 43 years Mary, that he was going to enlist the next 
day. He served as an enlisted member for 12 years, achieving the rank 
of Gunnery Sergeant. In 1986, he applied for Officers Candidates School 
and was accepted in February 1987. Despite severely injuring his knee, 
Dan continued his training to become an officer, graduating that same 
year.
  Dan attended Electronics Radar Pulse Acquisitions Control HAWK Guided 
Missile, Command and Control Electronics Tech HAWK Guided Missile, HAWK 
Guided Missile Systems Tech, and Tactical Basics School TBS Quantico, 
Virginia. He has an associate degree in Law Enforcement, Missiles and 
Munitions, and an Electrical Engineering degree from Trinity 
University. A Decorated Desert Storm Veteran, Dan was the first 
Hispanic Chief Warrant Officer (CWO) in the HAWK Guided Missile field 
in the Marine Corps.
  During his time in the Marines, Dan was a boxer and played multiple 
sports. He trained in Shotokan while he was in Japan and earned 4 black 
belts. He was named in Who's Who of Martial Arts and fought many 
different fighters, including Chuck Norris.
  After being deployed and stationed around the world, Dan's last stop 
was in Fresno, California where he and his wife Mary, and two daughters 
Rebecca and Rachel, settled. In 1996, Dan retired as CWO-3 and began 
teaching at Fresno City College Training Institute. He was awarded the 
Center for Applied Competitive Technology (CACT) Teacher's Award in 
1998. Dan was an ordained pastor while he was in the Marines and 
decided to continue this path after retirement.
  Dan is also the founder and CEO of Cable Links Construction. The 
construction firm provides training for Lucent, Siecor, 3-M Amp, and 
other telecommunication companies. Their specialties are in fiber 
optics and high-speed copper cable. Over the years, Cable Links has 
also expanded into construction. Since its founding 20 years ago, Cable 
Links has grown into a successful small-business in the Central Valley. 
It has been featured in the Fresno Bee as one of the fastest-growing 
companies in the Central Valley, and twice was mentioned in lnc 
Magazine as one of the fastest-growing companies in the United States.
  Following his retirement from the Marine Corps, Dan has served his 
community. Some of his many contributions include leading mission trips 
to Mexico for New Covenant Community Church for 15 years, and as music 
leader for Celebrate Recovery 12-Step Program. He was Co-Chair for 
Toys-for-Tots in 2011, Chairman of Central Valley Veterans K-9 
fundraising for 11 years, Post Commander for American Legion Post 4, 
Executive Director of the California Veterans Action Alliance, Board 
Member of the Central Valley Veterans Retirement Home, and CEO since 
2010 and announcer of the CVVDP since 2003.
  Throughout his career Dan has received recognition, including as 
local television affiliate KSEE24's Hispanic Portrait of Success 
recipient in 1999; 2002 Business Man of the Year; honored with his 3 
brothers and 2 sisters as the La Familia Silicon Valley Hispanic 
Veteran and Community Family of the Year in 2010; Guest of Honor for 
the Marine Corps Ball; the Gold Medal for volunteer work by President 
Bush in 2002; appointed to President George W. Bush's tax Sub-
Committee.
  Madam Speaker, it is with great respect that l ask my colleagues in 
the U.S. House of Representatives to congratulate CWO-3 Warrant Officer 
Dan Payne as he celebrates his last year as CEO of the Central Valley 
Veterans Day Parade and is honored as their Grand Marshal. I have had 
the honor to work with Dan for over 20 years and he is more than well-
deserved of this recognition. I ask that you join me in wishing Dan and 
his family continued success, health and happiness.

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