[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 14]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 20694]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



             A TRIBUTE TO CAPTAIN LOUIS ``DEAK'' CHILDRESS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CALVIN M. DOOLEY

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, August 5, 1999

  Mr. DOOLEY of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to 
Captain Louis ``Deak'' Childress, who is leaving his post this month as 
the Commanding Officer of Naval Air Station Lemoore, in Lemoore, 
California. For the past three years, Captain Childress has dedicated 
himself to improving the quality of life of the Lemoore community and 
expanding the base's military capabilities.
  Captain Childress began his Naval career in 1973. He has held 
numerous assignments, including flying the F-4 Phantom from the decks 
of the USS Nimitz and USS Forrestal in Oceana, Virginia, serving as an 
instructor pilot at NAS Miramar in San Diego, and serving in the 
Persian Gulf as Senior Naval Representative to COMUSNAVCENT's 
contingency planning cell in Dharhran, Saudi Arabia.
  In March of 1995, he was promoted to his current rank of Captain, and 
reported as the Commanding Officer of Naval Air Station, Lemoore in 
July of 1996. While serving as Commanding Officer of the base, 
Childress has played a vital role in improving the facilities and 
quality of life at NAS Lemoore. Responding to the concerns of his 
sailors and pilots regarding living conditions on the base, Captain 
Childress facilitated visits to the base by members of the defense 
committees in Congress and high-level Navy officials. He has led 
efforts to build the base's infrastructure, which resulted in the 1998 
announcement that five squadrons of the new F/A-18E/F Super Hornet 
Fighter aircraft will be based at Lemoore, bringing an additional 6,000 
personnel to the base.
  Captain Childress' continued efforts to improve conditions at the 
base is exemplified by the changes that have been made over the last 
three years under his leadership. Some of these accomplishments include 
his implementation of the innovative Regionalization Business Analysis, 
facility renovations in anticipation of the new F/A-18E/F program, and 
brand new housing facilities.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me today in congratulating 
Captain Childress for his devoted service to the Navy and the Lemoore 
community. He has distinguished himself as an innovative leader and 
dedicated Navy Captain. We wish him the best as he leaves Lemoore to 
continue his service to the Navy.

                          ____________________