[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 130 (Thursday, July 23, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E673]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





       TRIBUTE TO LIEUTENANT GENERAL STEPHEN M. ``STEPH'' TWITTY

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JAMES E. CLYBURN

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 23, 2020

  Mr. CLYBURN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a great 
leader, an exceptional officer, and a dear friend. Lieutenant General 
Stephen M. ``Steph'' Twitty, my fellow South Carolina State University 
(SCSU) alumnus and Omega Psi Phi fraternity brother, will soon retire 
after more than 36 years in the U.S. Army, and I commend him for his 
extraordinary service to our country.
  Lt. Gen. Twitty is a native of Chesnee, South Carolina and his 
hometown has honored him by naming State Highway 11 in his honor. The 
local American Legion Post 48 proudly displays signage proclaiming him 
as a native son.
  While growing up as a self-proclaimed ``country boy,'' Steph fell in 
love with the military. His grandfather, Spc. Carson Mackerson, served 
11 years in the segregated U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II. As 
a child, his grandfather ran him through infantry maneuvers in the yard 
and inspired him to join the National Guard as a junior in high school.
  He matriculated at SCSU and joined the Reserved Officers Training 
Corps (ROTC) program, which had about 600 cadets at that time. Lt. Gen. 
Twitty graduated among the top of his ROTC class in 1985, and having a 
choice of any assignment, he chose to follow in his grandfather's 
footsteps and become an Army infantryman.
  He is part of a proud tradition at SCSU which boasts of 22 ROTC 
graduates who have attained the rank of general officer. Lt. Gen. 
Twitty is a shining example of a dedication to excellence and 
leadership that SCSU's ROTC program instills in its cadets. He was 
named a Distinguished Alumnus in 2004 and inducted into the SCSU ROTC 
Hall of Fame in 2009. He has given back by establishing a program in 
which senior Army officers provide mentorships and leadership 
development to ROTC cadets at SCSU.
  Lt. Gen. Twitty has earned a master's degree in Public Administration 
from Central Michigan University and a master's in National Security 
Strategy from the National Defense University. He has served five 
combat tours in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Kuwait. His service has taken 
him to 174 countries and every continent except Antarctica, and he has 
held some of the most critical positions in defense of our nation.
  After his first assignment with the 101st Airborne Division at Ft. 
Campbell, he deployed with the 24 Infantry Division during Operation 
Desert Storm. He has commanded infantry units at the company, 
battalion, and brigade levels. Lt. Gen. Twitty's assignments as a 
general officer include deputy commander and commander of the 1st 
Armored Division, Deputy Chief of Staff of the International Security 
Assistance Force in Afghanistan, and commander of the First United 
States Army.
  For the past two years, Lt. Gen. Twitty has been the deputy commander 
of United States European Command in Stuttgart, Germany. During this 
period of extraordinary change and challenge in Europe's security 
environment. He improved relationships with NATO allies and European 
partners and through his strategic vision, Lt. Gen. Twitty successfully 
led his command through some of the most complex national security 
issues facing the United States. The foundations he established will 
allow NATO and our Armed Forces to meet every mission requirement in 
Europe. According to Forces Command Commanding General Robert Abrams, 
``Lt. Gen. Twitty has provided outstanding leadership, advice, and 
sound professional judgment.''
  His numerous awards and decorations include the Silver Star Medal, 
the nation's third highest award for valor. He received the honor for 
his extraordinary combat leadership of the 3rd Infantry Division's 3rd 
Battalion 15th Infantry Regiment during the initial assault on Baghdad, 
Iraq in 2003. He was inducted in the U.S. Army ROTC Hall of Fame in 
2018.
  Lt. Gen. Twitty is married to the former Karen Wilson. They have two 
daughters, Ashley and Brooke. The family has served alongside him 
throughout his career, and their service is appreciated as well.
  Madam Speaker, I ask you and our colleagues to join me in thanking 
Lt. Gen. Twitty for his commitment to service, sacrifices for, and 
contribution to this great nation and wishes of success in his future 
endeavors.