[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 189 (Thursday, December 19, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1305-E1306]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     RECOGNIZING MAJOR ERIC HAPNER

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. ROBERT B. ADERHOLT

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, December 19, 2024

  Mr. ADERHOLT. Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to recognize Major Eric 
Hapner. He has

[[Page E1306]]

dutifully served this Nation with exemplary dedication as an Army 
Congressional Fellow and Congressional Budget Liaison for the Assistant 
Secretary of the Army in the office of Financial Management and 
Comptroller.
  Major Hapner recently left Capitol Hill to continue his service to 
our Nation and America's Army National Guard as the Legislative Liaison 
for the Adjutant General of Nevada.
  After growing up in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and Hillsboro, Ohio, Major 
Hapner attended Miami University in Ohio where he earned his bachelor's 
degree in business and a minor in political science.
  Initially enlisting in the Army National Guard as an infantryman, 
Major Hapner's first deployment was in support of Hurricane Katrina 
recovery efforts. In 2008, Major Hapner was commissioned as an aviation 
officer, attended flight school at Fort Novosel in Alabama to pilot the 
UH-60 Blackhawk, and distinguished himself as the Honor Graduate.
  Major Hapner has served in a broad range of assignments during his 
Army career. He was the Assistant Operations officer and a Platoon 
leader in Alpha Company during his first Middle East deployment.
  In 2015, he deployed with the Ohio and Colorado National Guards to 
Iraq as the Air Mission Officer in Command. In 2016, he was assigned as 
the Aviation Task Force Executive Officer in Illesheim, Germany.
  Recently, Major Hapner served as the Deputy Executive Officer to the 
Director of the Air National Guard, National Guard Bureau at the 
Pentagon. Eric's last flying position was as a UH-60 pilot in command 
where he led multinational aviation missions with Middle Eastern and 
European allies.
  In addition to his Army assignments, Eric graduated from the 
University of Colorado Law School in 2017. During law school, Eric 
pursued his passion of public service through multiple law clinics and 
internships ranging from county prosecutors to the Army JAG Corps and 
the Colorado Supreme Court. Additionally, Eric worked for Colorado 
State Senator Owen Hill, ultimately becoming his Chief of Staff.
  In 2022, I had the privilege of working with Major Hapner in my 
office for the people of Alabama's Fourth Congressional District, where 
he served as an Army Congressional Fellow.
  We continued working together during his subsequent assignment as a 
Congressional Budget Liaison for the U.S. Army. Major Hapner worked 
tirelessly with Members of Congress and their staff to accurately 
articulate the Army's budget priorities.
  His professionalism, his integrity, and his commitment to the mission 
are unmatched, and his work ethic enabled him to successfully represent 
the U.S. Army and the Department of Defense in Congress.
  Those lucky enough to travel with Eric to visit Army installations 
came to appreciate his profound insight, meticulous planning, and sage 
advice. Whatever journey you embark upon, there are few more reassuring 
sights than Eric sitting next to you.
  No one knows this better than his family. Eric is a devoted husband 
to his wife, Hakela, who is currently attending law school at the 
McGeorge Law School in Sacramento, California. Eric met Hakela here on 
Capitol Hill and married in 2022.
  Major Hapner's commitment to service and care for others permeates 
every organization and activity he participates in. Moreover, he 
exemplifies servant leadership for individuals in the Army and their 
communities to emulate.
  Throughout his career, Major Hapner has positively impacted Soldiers, 
peers, and superiors. Our country has benefited tremendously from his 
extraordinary leadership, judgment, and passion.
  I applaud Major Hapner for the job well done, and I hope that my 
colleagues in the House of Representatives will join me in wishing him 
and his family the very best in their future Army assignments and 
beyond.

                          ____________________