[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 21]
[Senate]
[Pages 31058-31059]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                              COY A. SHORT

  Mr. THURMOND. Mr. President, everyone recognizes that to field an 
efficient fighting force, we must have the service of patriotic and 
selfless individuals who are willing to enter the military and stand 
ready to defend our nation, its citizens, interests, and ideals. What 
many do not recognize is the vital importance of building support in 
the greater community for those brave young men and women who are 
serving in uniform. We need our citizens who are not in military 
service to be supportive of those who do, especially of those who serve 
in the Guard and Reserve. I rise today to pay tribute to a faithful 
public servant, Mr. Coy A. Short of Atlanta, Georgia, whose hard work 
and selflessness have contributed greatly to the Reserve and Guard 
programs of our armed forces.
  On December 6th, Coy Short will be honored by the State of Georgia 
for his nine years of able and visionary leadership as the Chairman of 
the Georgia Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve. In 
that capacity he has been responsible for helping to raise employer 
awareness about the importance of Guard and Reserve forces to our 
national defense.
  While Coy is going to be saluted for the work he did as Chairman of 
the Georgia Committee, his commitment to public service goes far deeper 
and runs far longer than his tenure in that position. Clearly, his 
contributions have benefitted the State of Georgia and the nation. Coy 
began his career in public service when as a young 1957 graduate of 
Emory University, he took the oath of an officer in the United States 
Army and accepted a commission in the Artillery. He rose to the rank of 
Captain before leaving military service, and his time on active duty 
taught him many valuable lessons, not the least of which was the 
importance of maintaining a strong defense and supporting those who 
serve.
  After leaving the Army, Coy tried his hand at a number of 
entrepreneurial enterprises and while successful, he like many who 
serve their country missed the satisfaction that came from doing 
something for the benefit of others. In 1977, he began a career with 
the Social Security Administration that has been a tremendous success 
by any measure, rising to the position of Deputy Regional Commissioner. 
The most important gauge of success, however, would be the assistance 
he has rendered to tens of thousands of Americans. Coy's tireless 
efforts and adept abilities as a manager have earned him repeated 
recognitions, including the ``Commissioner's Citation'', the highest 
award given by the Social Security Administration.
  Coy learned at an early age the importance of supporting our men and 
women in uniform. Nothing does more for the morale of those who serve 
in the military than to know that they are appreciated by those they 
protect. Toward that goal, Coy Short has always been more than willing 
to roll-up his sleeves and lend his support to any effort that makes 
life for our troops a little easier, or demonstrates to them the high 
regard in which they are held by their fellow Americans. He is 
especially well known for his work as Chairman of the Georgia Committee 
for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, where he has sought to 
involve others in this important endeavor. This work is especially 
critical in a day and age when we increasingly rely on those who serve 
in non-active components to support ``real world'' missions. The 
recognition that is being bestowed upon him early next month is a 
testament to the fine job he has done in boosting support in the 
community for our ``citizen-soldiers'', his work has made it easier for 
men and women to get time off from work to meet their obligations to 
their units and help us meet our national defense goals.
  While we can all be proud of what Coy Short has accomplished as 
Chairman of the Georgia Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and 
Reserve, his commitment to helping the military is not limited to his 
service to that body. He also serves as President of the B-29 
Superfortress Association, which has restored and put on display at 
Dobbins Air Reserve Base one of those classic World War II era bombers, 
named ``The Sweet Eloise'', and is working on restoring the tenth C-130 
Hercules to have been produced in Georgia, which will also be displayed 
at that facility. Additionally, Coy serves on the Executive Committee 
of the USO Council of Georgia, as Ambassador for the U.S. Army Reserve, 
and is a member of the Atlanta Chamber of Commerce's Greater Atlanta 
Military Affairs Council Executive Committee. In the past, he has 
served as the President of the Atlanta Chapter of the Association of 
the United States Army

[[Page 31059]]

and as the Chairman of Peach Bowl's Community Events Committee. Not 
surprisingly, Coy's efforts have won him deservingly high praise and 
recognition in many forms including winning the prestigious Sam Nunn 
Award for Outstanding Support of the National Guard; the Oglethorpe 
Distinguished Service Medal for Outstanding Support of the Georgia 
Guard; the National Distinguished Service Award from the Association of 
the United States Army; the National Committee for Employer Support of 
the Guard and Reserve Award for Outstanding Public Service; the Army 
Commendation Medal, awarded for public service on behalf of Army Forces 
Command; the Atlanta Chamber of Commerce Phoenix Award; the Dobbins Air 
Reserve Base Man of the Year Award; the Eli White Award of the Old 
Guard of the Gate City Guard; and, twice winning the National Guard 
Association's Patrick Henry Award.
  I am pleased and proud to be able to have this opportunity to commend 
my good friend, Coy Short, on his many years of public service and the 
invaluable support he has given to our armed forces, particularly those 
who serve in the Guard and Reserve. It is my hope that others will be 
inspired to follow the lead that Coy has set for public service. The 
qualities of patriotism, selflessness, and duty were obviously 
instilled in him at an early age, and we have all benefitted from his 
devotion to service. Certainly Coy's mother, Eloise Strom, as well as 
Coy's wife Judy, deserve special recognition for the role they played 
in Coy's success.
  Coy, we appreciate all your good work and know you will continue to 
find ways to make a difference in the lives of those who live in 
Georgia, Atlanta, and all those who serve in the armed forces of the 
United States.

                          ____________________