[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 198 (Wednesday, December 11, 2019)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6988-S6989]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 TRIBUTE TO SERGEANT MAJOR DEREK GONDEK

  Ms. ERNST. Mr. President, today I rise to pay tribute to SGM Derek 
Gondek for his exemplary dedication to duty and service as an Army 
congressional fellow and congressional budget liaison for the Assistant 
Secretary of the Army, Financial Management and Comptroller. Sergeant 
Major Gondek is retiring after 27 years of dedicated service to his 
country and the U.S. Army.
  A native of Lewiston, ME, Sergeant Major Gondek enlisted as an 
infantry soldier in July 1992, attending infantry one station unit 
training at Fort Benning, GA.
  Sergeant Major Gondek has served in a broad range of assignments 
during his Army career at all levels of command. Starting as a rifleman 
with the 509th Parachute Infantry Regiment at Fort Polk, LA, Sergeant 
Major Gondek led soldiers as a team leader, platoon sergeant, first 
sergeant, and operations sergeant major across the Army. His highest 
level of leadership was as a battalion command sergeant major of the 
2nd Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division at 
Schofield Barracks, HI. He has also instructed at the Army's Jumpmaster 
School and provided coaching to rotational units at the Army's Joint 
Multinational Readiness Center in Hohenfels, Germany. Sergeant Major 
Gondek has served forward deployed to both Iraq and Afghanistan.
  In 2017, Sergeant Major Gondek began his tenure with the U.S. Senate, 
first as a Defense fellow and next in his subsequent assignment as a 
congressional budget liaison for the U.S. Army. Sergeant Major Gondek 
worked tirelessly with Members of Congress and their staffs to 
accurately articulate the Army's budget positions to the Appropriations 
Committees. His professionalism, diligence, and commitment to the 
mission are unmatched, and his work both as a fellow and as a liaison 
very effectively represented the U.S. Army and the Department of 
Defense to the U.S. Congress.
  The foundation of Derek's military success is his family. He is a 
devoted husband to his wife Maura and committed father to his 
daughters, Winnie, Ellie, and Zoey. Maura, Winne, Ellie and Zoey 
provide the foundation for Derek's service. Their attitude of service, 
sacrifice, and care for others permeates every organization and 
activity they participate in. The Gondek family is truly an example of 
servant leadership in the Army and the communities they engage.
  Throughout his career, Sergeant Major Gondek has positively impacted 
soldiers, peers, and superiors. Our country has benefited tremendously 
from his extraordinary leadership, judgment, and passion. I join my 
colleagues today in honoring his dedication to our Nation and 
invaluable service to the U.S. Congress as an Army congressional 
liaison.
  It has been a genuine pleasure to have worked with SGM Derek Gondek 
over the last 3 years. On behalf of a grateful nation, I join my 
colleagues today in recognizing and commending Derek for his service to 
our country, and we wish him all the best as he continues his service 
in his future endeavors.

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