[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 211 (Tuesday, December 7, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1323-E1324]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    HONORING LT. COL. EROL K. MUNIR

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ELISSA SLOTKIN

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 7, 2021

  Ms. SLOTKIN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor an essential member 
of our team that worked to receive vulnerable Afghans when they arrived 
in Albania, Lt. Col. Erol Munir.
  Born in Boston and commissioned at Fort Benning, Lt. Col. Munir has 
served our nation as an Army officer for the past 16 years. Service is 
ingrained in his DNA--both his grandfathers were in the military, which 
he credits with inspiring him to become a soldier.

[[Page E1324]]

Through the Army, Lt. Col. Munir has seen the world. In his current 
role as Office of Defense Cooperation chief at our Embassy in Tirana, 
he was an instrumental component in coordinating the arrival of our 
group of Afghan refugees.
  Simply put, the success of our mission depended on tireless 
commitment and devotion to the cause. Lt. Col. Munir spent long hours 
alongside Ambassador Kim to ensure that everything would proceed 
smoothly. His meticulous attention to detail was second to none, and I 
am forever indebted to him for his effort.
  Lt. Col. Munir will tell you that his work to receive and shelter 
Afghan allies is simply an extension of Albanian warmth and 
hospitality. As a career officer, he would also tell you that it's what 
he's learned throughout his time in uniform, no matter the mission or 
the challenge, it's his job to adapt and overcome. These two traits, 
humility for the work and a determination to carry it out, define Lt. 
Col. Munir in everything he does.
  Madam Speaker, I rise to honor Lt. Col. Erol Munir's willingness to 
go above and beyond the call of duty in our effort to evacuate Afghan 
allies from Kabul and support them in their new life. For his laser-
like focus in responding to requests for assistance and for his 
efficient advocacy to facilitate the arrival of vulnerable Afghans to 
safe haven, I submit these words--may they stand as a tribute to his 
dedicated service when the moment called for it most.

                          ____________________