[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 117 (Monday, July 10, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2282-S2283]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                 TRIBUTE TO LT. GENERAL RONALD BURGESS

 Mrs. BRITT. Mr. President, I wish to recognize and 
congratulate LTG Ronald L. Burgess, Jr., on his retirement as Auburn 
University's executive vice president and express my gratitude for his 
many contributions to our Nation and to the State of Alabama.
  General Burgess began his career in 1974 when he was commissioned in 
military intelligence through the Auburn University Reserve Officers' 
Training Corps Program. He received a bachelor of arts degree in 
political science from Auburn in 1974, a master of science degree in 
education from the University of Southern California in 1980, and a 
master of military arts and science from the U.S. Army Command and 
General Staff College in 1986. His military education includes the 
Armor Officer Basic Course, the Military Intelligence Officers Advanced 
Course, the Command and General Staff College, the Advanced Military 
Studies Program, and the Air War College.
  Early in his career, General Burgess's staff and command positions 
included assignments in armor and military intelligence units in 
Berlin, Germany, and at Fort Stewart and Fort Benning, GA, as well as 
Fort Richardson, AK. Some of his key positions included assistant 
executive officer to the Deputy Chief of Staff for Intelligence, 
Washington, DC, in 1990, and battalion commander, 25th Infantry 
Division (Light) at Schofield Barracks, HI, from 1993 to 1994.
  Additionally, he commanded the 470th Military Intelligence Brigade in 
Panama from June 1995 to May 1997, served as director of intelligence, 
J2, Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC), Fort Bragg, NC, from May 
1997 to June 1999, served as the director of intelligence, J2, U.S. 
Southern Command from June 1999 until May 2003,

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and finally served as director for intelligence, J2, for the Joint 
Chiefs of Staff from June 2003 to July 2005.
  In 2005, General Burgess reported to the Office of the Director of 
National Intelligence, where he served consecutively as the Deputy 
Director of National Intelligence for Customer Outcomes, Director of 
the Intelligence Staff, and Acting Principal Deputy Director of 
National Intelligence. On March 18, 2009, General Burgess became the 
17th Director of the Defense Intelligence Agency until his official 
retirement from the U.S. Army on September 1, 2012.
  After his illustrious 38-year military career, General Burgess 
returned to Auburn University in December 2012 to serve as senior 
counsel for National Security, Cyber Programs and Military Affairs, 
before being appointed as Auburn's chief operating officer in May 2018. 
He was named executive vice president of Auburn University in June 
2019.
  His awards and commendations throughout his career speak for 
themselves. They include the Defense Distinguished Service Medal; 
Defense Superior Service Medal, (two oakleaf clusters); Legion of 
Merit; Meritorious Service Medal, (four oakleaf clusters); Joint 
Service Commendation Medal; Army Commendation Medal; Army Achievement 
Medal; NATO Medal--former Republic of Yugoslavia; Parachutist Badge; 
Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge; and Army Staff 
Identification Badge.
  In 2013, General Burgess was awarded the Auburn Alumni Association's 
Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2015, he was inducted into the U.S. Army 
Military Intelligence Hall of Fame and, in 2016, was inducted into the 
Army ROTC National Hall of Fame.
  On behalf of the people of Alabama and our Nation, I offer him my 
heartfelt thanks and a long and happy retirement with his wife Marta, 
their five children, Lee, Regina, Julia, Mary, and John, and their 16 
grandchildren. General Burgess's career is defined by remarkable 
devotion and patriotism to his country. We owe him a debt of gratitude 
for his dedicated and exemplary service.
  ``War Eagle!''

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