[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 134 (Wednesday, July 29, 2020)]
[Senate]
[Page S4580]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              TRIBUTE TO LIEUTENANT COLONEL JOSEPH D. WALL

  Mrs. SHAHEEN. Mr. President, I rise today to honor a great American 
and an exceptional member of the U.S. Air Force.
  Lt. Col. Joseph ``Joe'' Wall has distinguished himself through his 
professional character and dedication by serving this Nation in 
uniform. A leader and expert communicator, he has provided 
distinguished service to our country while assigned to the Air Force 
Senate Liaison Office. He is an outstanding leader and has been the 
perfect airman to represent the Air Force on Capitol Hill. Joe is a 
command pilot with more than 3,000 hours in the T-37B, T-1A, and KC-10A 
aircraft with over 100 combat and combat support missions, supporting 
operations over Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, and the Horn of Africa.
  Throughout his career, Joe has demonstrated his exceptional 
abilities; he was a ROTC distinguished graduate at the University of 
Miami, graduate of the Air Mobility Command Phoenix Mobility program, 
and he is an Olmsted Scholar fluent in German. Prior to his current 
assignment, Joe had the privilege of leading airmen as a squadron 
commander for the 79th Air Refueling Squadron at Travis Air Force Base. 
As a legislative liaison in the Air Force Senate Liaison Office from 
June 2018 to July 2020, Lieutenant Colonel Wall performed his duties 
well and without reservation. His strategic thinking and foresight 
helped to strengthen and improve our national security. Joe 
accomplished this utilizing his in-depth Air Force knowledge with 
numerous engagements between Congress and the Department of the Air 
Force.
  During this assignment, Joe conducted congressional engagements to 
provide Members of Congress and staff insights into the development of 
the ``Air Force We Need'' plan required to support the National Defense 
Strategy. He also actively engaged Members of Congress regarding the 
fielding and production of the KC-46A Pegasus Tanker. Last year, Joe 
led the effort to make sure that the New Hampshire Congressional 
Delegation was front and center to receive the first KC-46A at Pease 
Air National Guard Base.
  Joe organized dozens of direct engagements between senior leaders at 
the Department of the Air Force and Members of Congress in order to 
convey important information on behalf of the Air Force. All of these 
conversations and engagements helped stakeholders understand the 
defense equities and the impact on national security. Due to his direct 
involvement, Members of Congress were able to make informed decisions 
and ensure the Department of the Air Force was properly resourced.
  After serving in this important role for the past 2 years, Lieutenant 
Colonel Wall will move to his next assignment, the Dwight D. Eisenhower 
School at the National Defense University. Joe, his wife Trysta, and 
their son Tavin have sacrificed much as a family in service to our 
Nation. I am thankful for Joe's service and his work with my office and 
the Senate over the past 2 years on issues important to the State of 
New Hampshire and this great Nation. I salute him, an American patriot 
whose service has kept our country safe and strong. Thank you

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