[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 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. 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.

                          ____________________