[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 196 (Tuesday, November 9, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1219]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




REMEMBERING GENERAL RAYMOND T. ODIERNO, NJ-11 NATIVE AND BRAVE MILITARY 
                      LEADER FOR OVER FOUR DECADES

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. MIKIE SHERRILL

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 9, 2021

  Ms. SHERRILL. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize General Raymond 
Thomas Odierno, former Chief of Staff for the Army and a native of 
Rockaway in New Jersey's 11th Congressional District, General Odierno 
began his service to our country as a young man attending the United 
States Military Academy at West Point and went on to serve our nation 
for the majority of his life.
  He was commissioned as an officer in the Army in 1976, serving around 
the world to protect and defend our nation's Constitution and values. 
Most notably, General Odierno served three tours in Iraq, including 
commanding the 4th Infantry Division on his first tour in 2003, which 
played a major role in the capture of Saddam Hussein.
  In 2011, General Odierno was selected to be the Army's Chief of 
Staff, the highest ranking general in the Army. In this role, he guided 
the Army through the final withdrawal of troops from Iraq, addressed 
issues facing our troops including rising rates of suicide, and handled 
crises such as the Ebola outbreak in 2014.
  General Odierno's strength, strategic thinking, and commitment to 
service were unmatched and our country is safer because of him. He was 
a beloved community member of NJ-11. Whenever he returned to his 
hometown in Morris County, he gave back to the local community, 
including by meeting with the next generation of leaders at the local 
schools.
  General Odierno passed away on October 8th after a valiant battle 
with cancer. He will be missed by his family, friends, the NJ-11 
community, and fellow servicemembers and veterans.

                          ____________________