[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 213 (Wednesday, December 16, 2020)]
[Senate]
[Page S7540]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                TRIBUTE TO MAJOR GENERAL JAMES A. HOYER

 Mr. MANCHIN. Mr. President, it is an honor to rise today to 
recognize the legacy of MG James A. Hoyer of the West Virginia National 
Guard, a man whom I have worked with for decades and a man whom I am 
fortunate to call my friend.
  General Hoyer assumed the duties as The Adjutant General, West 
Virginia Joint Forces Headquarters-West Virginia in 2011, providing 
command guidance and vision to the West Virginia Army and Air National 
Guard of more than 6,500 Citizen Soldiers and Airmen.
  Upon obtaining his undergraduate degree from the University of 
Charleston, he was commissioned in 1983 through a joint Reserve Officer 
Training Corps program with West Virginia State University. General 
Hoyer's military career began in the West Virginia National Guard as a 
Cavalry Officer. He attended the Special Forces Officer Qualification 
course and spent more than 14 years with the 2nd Battalion, 19th 
Special Forces Group. General Hoyer led the development of the West 
Virginia National Guard Counterdrug Task Force and the Joint 
Interagency Training and Education Center and its Center for National 
Response--a national level operational and training capability for 
critical infrastructure protection and consequence response. General 
Hoyer's most recent assignment was Director, Joint Staff, of the West 
Virginia Joint Force Headquarters.
  General Hoyer continued his education throughout his career, 
including West Virginia Graduate College in 1987, United States Army 
War College in 2004, and obtained his Federal/Department of Defense 
Identify Management Certificate from the Naval Post Graduate School in 
2009.
  Among his many awards, decorations and achievements, General Hoyer 
has earned the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal (with 1 
Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster), Army Commendation Medal (with 1 Bronze Oak 
Leaf Cluster), Army Achievement Medal (with 2 Bronze Oak Leaf 
Clusters), Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal (with 1 Silver Oak 
Leaf Cluster), National Defense Service Medal (with 1 Bronze Service 
Star), Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, 
Armed Forces Reserve Medal (with Silver Hourglass and M Device), Army 
Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Army Reserve Component 
Overseas Training Ribbon, West Virginia Commendation Medal, West 
Virginia Emergency Service Ribbon, West Virginia State Service Ribbon, 
West Virginia Service Ribbon, West Virginia Counterdrug Ribbon, West 
Virginia Distinguished Unit Award, Special Forces Tab, Master 
Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge, and the Thailand Parachute Badge.
  I have seen firsthand how the Guard protects the citizens of West 
Virginia when we are in our most desperate hour of need and how the 
Guard protects our country when called upon to serve at the command and 
control of the President of the United States. As Governor, my most 
honored title was that of Commander-in-Chief of the Guard. I worked 
closely with Jim Hoyer and the Guard and did everything I could to 
increase capabilities for personnel, equipment, and facilities.
  As U.S. Senator, I have the honor of serving on the Senate Armed 
Services Committee, as well as the Appropriations Committee, the 
Veterans' Affairs Committee, and as ranking member on the Senate Energy 
Committee. I continue to work hand-in-hand with Jim Hoyer to promote 
good policy for the Guard, the Department of Defense, and all of our 
Nation's heroes.
  Throughout my time as Governor and as Senator, I have relied on the 
National Guard not only to do their mission but to provide solid advice 
so that I could form the best policies. I have truly counted on Jim 
Hoyer's sound guidance and military expertise every step of the way. 
Whether it was forming the Congressional Veterans Jobs Caucus, writing 
amendments on the Defense bill, preventing war in Syria, providing 
death gratuity benefits for families of the fallen during a government 
shutdown, or bringing more military assets like the C-130J to West 
Virginia, Jim Hoyer has been with me every step of the way.
  The West Virginia National Guard fulfills its mission of ``Delivering 
Freedom with Courage'' every single day. I am so very proud of the 
Guard for serving our State and our Nation so courageously in times of 
need, and I am grateful for their unwavering service and selfless 
efforts to protect our homeland. This success is due in large part to 
the Guard's outstanding leadership, and I am grateful to General Hoyer 
for serving as a part of this legacy of excellence.
  When visitors come to West Virginia, I jump at the chance to tell 
them we have fought in more wars, shed more blood, and lost more lives 
for the cause of freedom than most any State. We have always done the 
heavy lifting and never complained. We have mined the coal and forged 
the steel that built the guns, ships, and factories that have protected 
and continue to protect our country to this day. I am so deeply proud 
of what West Virginians have accomplished and what they will continue 
to accomplish to protect the freedoms we hold dear.
  While General Hoyer is retiring and everyone is sure to miss his 
strong leadership, his dedication and commitment to excellence will 
leave a lasting legacy with the countless lives he has touched. Again, 
I congratulate General Hoyer for his remarkable years of service and 
his outstanding dedication to protecting our great Nation. I am honored 
to wish good health and much happiness to him, his wife Amy, his sons 
Jacob and Drew, and his wonderful extended family in the days and years 
ahead.

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