[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 68 (Thursday, April 18, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Page S2867]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 TRIBUTE TO COLONEL DEBORAH J. McDONALD

  Mr. REED. Mr. President, it is my honor to pay tribute to a great 
leader and exceptional officer of the U.S. Army, COL Deborah ``Debbie'' 
J. McDonald, as she retires after nearly 40 years of service to the 
Army and our Nation.
  A proud Rhode Islander, Debbie grew up in Newport and graduated from 
Rogers High School. Upon graduating from the U.S. Military Academy at 
West Point in 1985, Colonel McDonald commissioned as a second 
lieutenant in the Transportation Corps. She served in a variety of 
field assignments, including Fort Sill, OK; Fort Devens, MA; Fort 
Campbell, KY; and Fort Leonard Wood, MO. Notably, as the commander of 
the 104th Medium Truck Company, she deployed as a separate company in 
support of Operations Desert Shield / Desert Storm. Her company 
provided long-haul transportation, primarily hauling water, ammunition, 
and food in support of XVIII Airborne Corps operations in theater.
  In addition to her bachelor of science degree from West Point, 
Colonel McDonald holds a master's degree in information management from 
Oklahoma City University and a doctorate in education from the 
University of Florida. Her military education includes the 
Transportation Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, the Master Fitness 
Course, the Combined Arms Staff Services School, the Army Inspector 
General Course, the Army Operations Research and Systems Analysis 
Course, and the United States Army Command and General Staff College.
  For the past 15 years, Colonel McDonald served as the director of 
admissions for the U.S. Military Academy. In this capacity, she ensured 
West Point identified, recruited, and appointed capable and 
accomplished individuals. Colonel McDonald challenged her team and 
every element of the Army that supported her mission to seek new and 
better ways to inspire scholars, leaders, and athletes to choose West 
Point. Her tireless efforts to building a corps of cadets that mirrors 
the geographic, gender, racial, and ethnic diversity of the Nation has 
resulted in the most talented classes in the academy's 221-year 
history. Embracing her role in supporting the mission of the U.S. 
Military Academy at West Point ``to build, educate, train, and inspire 
the Corps of Cadets,'' Colonel McDonald has had a profound impact on a 
generation of future Army leaders.
  She used all her skills and experience to modernize the admissions 
process: improving the experience for candidates and their families; 
creating a convenient online application process; and saving the 
academy millions of dollars in printing and mailing costs. Recognizing 
the broader requirements of the Army, Debbie improved the relationship 
between West Point and the U.S. Army Cadet Command, which ultimately 
enhanced Cadet Command's scholarship pool and helped the U.S. Army to 
meet its annual goal of assessing 6,000 to 7,000 second lieutenants 
into the force.
  Married to her West Point classmate, LTC Kenneth ``Kenny'' W. 
McDonald, U.S. Army, Retired, Debbie is also the proud mother of MAJ 
Anna Mendoza, U.S. Army, and CPT Joshua McDonald, U.S. Army. On behalf 
of the Senate and the United States of America, I thank Colonel 
McDonald, her husband Kenny, their daughter and son, and their entire 
family for their commitment, sacrifice, and contributions to our 
Nation. I join my colleagues in wishing her a long and joyful 
retirement. Well done.

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