[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 112 (Thursday, July 9, 2026)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E658]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              HONORING LIEUTENANT COLONEL WILLARD SHEPARD

                                  _____
                                 

                        HON. FREDERICA S. WILSON

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, July 9, 2026

  Ms. WILSON of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and 
honor Lieutenant Colonel Willard Shepard for 28 years of distinguished 
service in the United States Air Force Reserves.
  Lt. Colonel Shepard is retiring from active duty at U.S. Southern 
Command in Doral, Florida, to become a member of the Civil Air Patrol 
at Opa Locka Coast Guard Air Station Miami, which is located in 
Congressional District 24.
  Lt. Colonel Shepard is also an award winning journalist, attorney and 
mentor to hundreds of Miami-Dade County School students. He serves as 
the United States Air Force academic liaison officer, in Congressional 
District 24; helping students obtain ROTC scholarships and appointments 
to the United States Air Force Academy.
  As a mentor with the 5000 Role Models of Excellence Project, Lt. 
Colonel Shepard is an inspiration to hundreds of young men, and middle 
and high school students. He is a shining example of what can be 
achieved through education, hard work and dedication.
  Lt. Colonel Shepard is a graduate of the Florida International 
University College of Law and specializes in media and aviation legal 
issues. He graduated cum laude from Temple University in Philadelphia, 
Pennsylvania with a Bachelors Degree in Communications and Theater, and 
he is a distinguished graduate of the U.S. Air Force Officer Training 
School in San Antonio, Texas.
  Please join me in honoring Lt. Colonel Willard Shepard for his many 
years of distinguished service to our country, as a United States Air 
Force Pilot, and for his unwavering commitment to our young people and 
our community.

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