[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 205 (Wednesday, December 13, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1222-E1223]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




HONORING MICHELLE Y. CROMWELL ON HER RETIREMENT FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF 
                                DEFENSE

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. STENY H. HOYER

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 13, 2023

  Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the 
distinguished public service and career of a hardworking, talented, and 
principled Marylander from my district: Mrs. Michelle Y. Cromwell. I 
thank her for her 43 years of dedicated service with the Department of 
Defense, more specifically, the Department of the Army from December 
29, 1980, to December 31, 2023. Throughout her career, Mrs. Cromwell 
has served the Department of the Army faithfully and personified the 
Army's values of loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, 
integrity, and personal courage. As the Chief of the Congressional 
Inquiry Division within the Office of the Chief, Legislative Liaison 
(OCLL), Mrs. Cromwell worked with many Congressional offices on a wide 
variety of Army issues and programs with the

[[Page E1223]]

highest degree of professionalism and outstanding resourcefulness. We 
all ought to recognize and celebrate her many accomplishments.
  Mrs. Cromwell began her career working for OCLL's Congressional 
Inquiry Division on December 29, 1980, as a Clerk Typist. Mrs. Cromwell 
has served in many positions within the Congressional Inquiry Division, 
including a two-year stint in the Senate Liaison Division on Capitol 
Hill. She has worked her entire federal career in the OCLL, supporting 
and responding to countless inquiries from Members of Congress and 
their staffers, the Army Senior Leader, and constituents. Mrs. Cromwell 
has also helped with the release of Army contract and casualty 
announcements to Congress, ensuring the needs of contractors, 
civilians, soldiers, and their families were met. Additionally, she was 
tasked with several special missions directly supporting the Secretary 
of the Army. From these successes she was ultimately promoted to Chief 
of the Congressional Inquiry Division in 2018. During her tenure, Mrs. 
Cromwell has guided the division and organization through numerous 
major events.
  Mr. Speaker, Mrs. Cromwell has loyally served the Department of the 
Army throughout the Cold War, Operations Just Cause, Desert Shield, 
Desert Storm, Noble Eagle, the September 11, 2001 tragedy, Operations 
Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom, Inherent Resolve and Freedom's 
Sentinel. For her indelible contributions to our country, Mrs. Cromwell 
received the Meritorious Civilian Service Medal, Superior Civilian 
Service Award, Commander's Award for Civilian Service, and the Civilian 
Service Achievement Medal. She did not serve because she wanted awards 
and accolades, however. She served because she believed in the vital 
importance of her work.
  Mrs. Cromwell has been an invaluable asset to our government, our men 
and women in uniform, and the American people. Although many will be 
sad to see her departure, she deserves a long and happy retirement. As 
she starts this next chapter, I wish her, her husband Stewart, her two 
sons, and the rest of their family and friends well. I am certain that 
all my fellow Members of the House will join me in thanking Mrs. 
Michelle Cromwell for her commitment and contributions to our Nation.

                          ____________________