[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 21]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 31233]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


[[Page 31233]]

                  TRIBUTE TO COLONEL CARL J. LEININGER

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. PETER J. VISCLOSKY

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 18, 1999

  Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, I would like to pay tribute to an 
outstanding American, an outstanding soldier, and an outstanding 
officer who has contributed immeasurably to the good relations between 
the Army and the House of Representatives. On December 31, 1999, 
Colonel Carl J. Leininger retires after over 28 years of dedicated 
service to America and our great Army. Throughout his career, Carl 
Leininger has provided forward-looking leadership characterized by a 
unique intellect and strategic vision. He has served with distinction 
in positions of increasing responsibility from platoon to the Office of 
the Secretary of Defense, always demonstrating the highest degree of 
leadership and professionalism, while making lasting contributions to 
Army readiness and mission accomplishment.
  As we honor his retirement, we note that Colonel Leininger's 
distinguished career has stretched nearly three decades, culminating in 
his service as Chief of the Army's Congressional Activities Division. 
In this position, Colonel Leininger has served as principal advisor to 
the Army's senior leaders for their personal meetings with Members of 
Congress, and for their testimony before committees of this House. He 
has ensured that the Army's senior leaders provide a coherent, cohesive 
and meaningful message to the Congress. Colonel Leininger has also 
contributed to the increasingly effective relations between the Army 
and the House with his active sponsorship of an annual Congressional 
Briefing Conference for the Army's Congressional Actions Contact 
Officers, allowing Members to connect with those managing the planning 
and programming of Army resources.
  Colonel Carl Leininger was born in Pennsylvania, but grew up Indiana. 
Carl and I graduated together from Andrean High School in 1967. There 
our paths diverged, I staying home to attend Indiana University, and 
Carl heading to the banks of the Hudson to attend the United States 
Military Academy. While there, he played basketball for someone who has 
since become an Indiana institution, Coach Bob Knight. Graduating from 
West Point in 1971, Carl was commissioned a second lieutenant of 
infantry. After receiving his Airborne wings and Ranger tab, Carl's 
first assignment was as an infantry platoon leader in the 4th Infantry 
Division at Fort Carson, Colorado.
  Colonel Leininger then transferred to Military Intelligence, serving 
in intelligence assignments at battalion, division, the Army's 
Intelligence Threat and Analysis Center, and Supreme Headquarters, 
Allied Powers Europe. Carl also received a masters in political science 
from Yale, taught social science at West Point, and served as an Army 
congressional fellow to another Indiana legend, Representative Lee 
Hamilton.
  For the last decade, Carl Leininger has served at the highest levels 
of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, the Army, and the Defense 
Department. He served as a speech writer to the SACEUR, the Army Chief 
of Staff, and the Secretary of Defense. He also served as Chief of the 
Army's Congressional Activities Division. In these positions, Carl has 
exhibited that rare combination of Midwestern-bred common sense, Ivy 
League-honed scholarship, and West Point-forged sense of Duty, Honor 
and Country in making extremely complicated issues readily 
understandable for senior Defense and Army officials, Members of 
Congress, and the public at large.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that you and all of my colleagues join me in 
congratulating Colonel Leininger on a productive and happy retirement. 
I offer my personal thanks to my longtime friend, a soldier whose 
selfless service has truly made a difference, Colonel Carl Leininger.

                          ____________________