[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 176 (Tuesday, November 15, 2022)]
[Senate]
[Page S6687]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO CHERYL M. BLACK

  Mr. REED. Madam President, I request unanimous consent to enter into 
a colloquy with the Senator from Oklahoma. As the chairman and ranking 
member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, we rise to commemorate 
and celebrate the distinguished career of Ms. Cheryl M. Black of the 
Department of Defense.
  Mr. INHOFE. For 43 years, Ms. Black has served the Nation with honor 
and professionalism. Now, as she retires from her position as Deputy 
Director, General and Flag Officer Matters in the Office of the Deputy 
Assistant Secretary of Defense for Military Personnel and Policy, we 
are privileged to thank her for her four decades of service.
  Mr. REED. A native of California, Cheryl joined the Army in 1977 and 
worked at every echelon since, to include the U.S. Army Military 
Personnel Center; Immediate Office of the Secretary of the Army; the 
Army Office Legislative Liaison. After retiring from the Army in 1998, 
Cheryl served on the personal office staff of Senator John Warner and 
then went back to her roots at the Department of Defense in 2001, where 
she has served as the Deputy Director General and Flag Officer Matters. 
In every assignment, she was known to her colleagues as a dedicated 
leader and an expert of her craft.
  Mr. INHOFE. During Cheryl's time with the Department of Defense, she 
worked diligently to ensure every general and flag officer recommended 
for promotion or appointment was thoroughly vetted prior to a 
nomination being submitted to the Secretary of Defense, the President, 
and the Congress for confirmation. Because of her dedication to our 
general and flag officer corps, we all live in a safer and more 
prosperous nation.
  Mr. REED. Cheryl did not serve alone, however. Throughout her career, 
she was supported by her family, friends, and colleagues. We owe a 
special debt of gratitude to Cheryl's son, Damion, and his family, who 
supported her with strength and love. Her contributions to the Nation 
were possible because of their support.
  Mr. INHOFE. Mr. President, we are proud to honor the achievements of 
Ms. Cheryl Black, and on behalf of a grateful nation, we salute her 43 
years of service to our great Nation. We offer her our thanks and 
congratulate her on a well-earned retirement.

                          ____________________