[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 175 (Tuesday, October 5, 2021)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6911-S6912]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO ANITA DEASON

  Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. President, I rise to honor the service of Colonel 
(retired) Anita Deason as she retires from her work on behalf of the 
people of Arkansas, and especially the military and veterans community, 
as a member of my staff in the U.S. Senate.
  Colonel Deason started her lifetime of service at 19 years old when 
she joined the Arkansas Army National Guard. She retired from that 
career in 2013 with 33 years of service and soon after joined my staff 
as our military and veterans liaison. Throughout her tenure with my 
office, she has used her knowledge and experience to improve programs 
and services for countless veterans and their families.
  Over the past 7 years, Colonel Deason has traveled all across the 
Natural State to meet with veterans' organizations; visit local, State, 
and Federal facilities, as well as nonprofits; and resolve countless 
problems for her fellow veterans. Whether bringing groups together to 
tackle difficult issues or lending her support to promising new 
programs, she used every skill and connection she had to improve the 
lives of the men and women who serve our State and our Nation.
  Of all her accomplishments during her time in the Senate, Anita is 
probably best known as a champion of the Library of Congress Veterans 
History Project. She spearheaded my office's involvement in this 
program to ensure that stories of America's veterans are recorded for 
generations to come. At that time, Arkansas veterans were 
underrepresented in this national collection, so she set out to conduct 
interviews and train other Arkansans to do the same. She ensured that 
veterans from all eras are included and that previously overlooked 
stories were recorded from veterans of color, women veterans, and 
others who served our country with honor and helped shape our modern 
military. She taught workshops, gave media interviews and trained other 
congressional staff, all in an effort to make the project even more 
robust and successful because of her passion for helping to learn about 
and preserve our former servicemembers' stories and experiences.
  Her tenure in the Senate is only a small portion of Colonel Deason's 
public service. During her career in the Arkansas Army National Guard, 
she served as a platoon leader, detachment commander, company executive 
officer, and company commander. She was eventually promoted to colonel 
while serving as the human resources officer.

[[Page S6912]]

  She received a number of awards and decorations during her military 
career including the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, and 
the Arkansas Commendation Medal. In 2018, she was inducted into the 
Arkansas Military Veterans Hall of Fame. It was a well-deserved honor 
for her tremendous military service and her dedication to fighting for 
the needs of servicemembers and veterans throughout her years with the 
U.S. Senate.
  It has been a blessing and true honor to have Anita Deason as a 
member of my team. Her unique perspective, dedication, and caring 
nature have been invaluable in our work to meet the needs of Arkansas' 
veterans. She truly made a difference. We will all miss working with 
her and wish her the best of luck in retirement.

                          ____________________