[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 98 (Tuesday, June 11, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4016-S4017]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
TRIBUTE TO MAJOR GENERAL THOMAS J. TICKNER
Mr. SCHATZ. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to an
exceptional officer in the U.S. Army, MG Thomas J. Tickner, who serves
as the chief legislative liaison of the U.S. Army, and will retire from
Active Duty after more than 33 distinguished years of active Federal
service on 1 September 2024.
=========================== NOTE ===========================
On page S4016, June 11, 2024, third column, the following
appears: Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to an
exceptional office in the U.S. Army, MG Thomas J. Tickner, who
serves as the chief legislative liaison of the U.S. Army, and will
retire from Active Duty after more that 33 distinguished years of
active Federal service on 1 September 2024.
The online Record has been corrected to read: Mr. President, I
rise today to pay tribute to an exceptional officer in the U.S.
Army, MG Thomas J. Tickner, who serves as the chief legislative
liaison of the U.S. Army, and will retire from Active Duty after
more than 33 distinguished years of active Federal service on 1
September 2024.
========================= END NOTE =========================
Throughout his career, Major General Tickner has personified the
highest standards of Army professionalism and the soldierly virtues of
duty, integrity, and selfless service to the Army and our Nation. Many
of us on Capitol Hill have enjoyed the opportunity to work with Major
General Tickner, and it is my privilege to recognize his achievements.
Major General Tickner is a distinguished leader whose career in the
U.S. Army has been marked by unwavering dedication and exceptional
service. Born and raised in Wayne, PA, Major General Tickner embarked
on his military journey with a commitment to excellence that would
define his decades-long career.
Commissioned as a distinguished military graduate through the Army
Reserve Officer Training Corps, known as the ROTC, in 1989, Major
General Tickner began his service as a platoon
[[Page S4017]]
leader in the 326th Engineer Battalion, 101st Airborne Division--Air
Assault. His early years in the Army laid the foundation for a
remarkable career characterized by a tireless work ethic and a
commitment to the mission.
Throughout his 33 years of service, Major General Tickner has held a
variety of tactical, operational, and strategic assignments, each
demanding excellence and leadership. From serving as a company
commander in the 84th Engineer Battalion--Combat Heavy in Hawaii, to
overseeing engineering operations in Afghanistan as the engineer
director for the Combined Security Transition Command--Afghanistan,
known as the CSTC-A, Major General Tickner's career has been defined by
versatility and proficiency.
Major General Tickner's leadership roles have spanned the globe,
including commanding the Savannah District, U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers, and serving as chief, Army Budget Liaison, in the Office of
the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Financial Management and
Comptroller. Notably, Major General Tickner's tenure as commanding
general of the North Atlantic Division, United States Army Corps of
Engineers, in Brooklyn, NY, saw him overseeing an extensive program of
projects aimed at supporting the military, protecting water resources,
and mitigating disaster risks, among other critical objectives.
In July 2017, Major General Tickner assumed command of the Pacific
Ocean Division, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, where his
responsibilities included engineering design, construction, and real
estate management across a vast region encompassing Hawaii, Alaska,
Japan, and the Republic of Korea. His leadership was instrumental in
overseeing multibillion-dollar programs vital to regional security and
cooperation.
Major General Tickner's commitment to education and professional
development is evident in his academic achievements, including a
bachelor of science degree in civil engineering from Pennsylvania State
University, a master of civil engineering degree from the University of
Colorado at Boulder, and a master of science in national resource
strategy from the Eisenhower School, National Defense University.
Throughout his illustrious career, Major General Tickner has been
honored with numerous military awards and decorations, including the
Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal,
and the Engineer Silver de Fleury Medal, among others. His exemplary
service and steadfast leadership have earned him the respect and
admiration of colleagues and superiors alike.
On behalf of Congress and the United States of America, I thank Major
General Tickner, his wife Sheri; children Austin, Mason, Brooklynn, and
Audrey; and their entire family for the commitment, sacrifices, and
contribution they have made throughout Major General Tickner's
honorable military service. Congratulations on completing an
exceptional and successful career.
____________________