[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 11 (Tuesday, January 18, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E41]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              RECOGNIZING LT. COLONEL FLOYDRIDGE UNDERWOOD

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                          HON. J. FRENCH HILL

                              of arkansas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 18, 2022

  Mr. HILL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Lt. Colonel 
Floydridge Underwood's devotion to our nation and his commitment to 
serving the JROTC program.
  Lt. Col. Underwood was born in Selma, Alabama and knew at the age of 
7 that he wanted to serve in the armed forces. He enlisted in the Air 
Force immediately after high school.
  He rose through the ranks and was promoted to the rank of Lt. Colonel 
over the years. He served in the Air Force for 26 years serving through 
22 different assignments.
  During his time in the Air Force, he found himself leaning towards 
giving back to the community the knowledge he had acquired through his 
service.
  Lt. Col. Underwood was selected to serve as the Commander for the 
JROTC program at Pine Bluff High School. He has served in this role for 
over 17 years.
  During his time as the Commander for the Pine Bluff High School JROTC 
program, he inspired his cadets to follow this path and join the Armed 
Forces. More than 30 of his cadets have served in the Armed Forces.
  Lt. Col. Underwood will be awarded with the 2022 Martin Luther King 
Jr. Salute to Greatness Award.
  In Selma, he grew up during the Civil Rights movement and took every 
opportunity to stay involved in the movement.
  In March 1965, Lt. Col. Underwood, this son of Selma joined my 
friend, late Congressman John Lewis, in crossing the Edmund Pettus 
Bridge enroute to Montgomery and into history.
  Lt. Col. Underwood is a great example of an Arkansan who has 
dedicated his life to defending our Nation, educating our youth, and 
fighting for freedom of life and liberty.

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