[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 10] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page 14376] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]HONORING COLONEL WILLIAM L. WEBB, III ______ HON. NORMAN SISISKY of virginia in the house of representatives Wednesday, July 12, 2000 Mr. SISISKY. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I pay special tribute to an outstanding soldier who has dedicated his life to the service of our Nation. Colonel William L. Webb, III, will take off his uniform for the last time this month as he retires from the United States Army following more than 28 years of active duty service. Colonel Webb's career culminated with duty as the Legislative Director for the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, where he served as the principal liaison between the Nation's most senior military officer and the U.S. Congress. He prepared the Chairman, Vice Chairman and senior Joint General/Flag officers for congressional hearings, briefings, and testimony, and coordinated their legislative efforts on joint national security decisions with OSD, the Services, and the interagency community. He interacted continuously with Members of Congress and their staffs, and developed and executed the strategy for presenting Joint Staff and Unified Command agendas to Congress. Born in Tokyo, Japan, and raised in a military family, Colonel Webb has lived and traveled extensively throughout the United States, Europe and Asia. His outstanding all-around high school performance in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, earned him a Presidential appointment to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. While at West Point, he excelled as a varsity wrestler, student leader, and school spirit coordinator. He graduated in 1972 with a concentration in National Security and Public Affairs. In 1983, Colonel Webb earned a Masters Degree in Business Administration from the Harvard Business School, concentrating in General Management/Human Resource Management. His military education includes completion of the Armor Officer Basic and Infantry Officer Advanced Courses, the Armed Forces Staff College, and the Army War College, as well as the Rotary Wing Aviator Course and Air Assault School. He has served on Fellowships in the White House, the U.S. Congress, and the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies. Colonel Webb has served in ground and air cavalry units in Germany, Colorado, Korea, Hawaii, Panama, and California, and commanded an aviation brigade in Germany, Bosnia, and Hungary. His previous assignments include: Armored Cavalry Platoon Leader and Troop Executive Officer, 1st Squadron, 10th Cavalry; Aero Scout Section Commander, Aero Rifle Platoon Commander and Squadron Motor Officer, 4th Squadron, 7th Cavalry; Aero Weapons Platoon Commander, Assistant Squadron S3 and Ground Troop Commander, 3rd Squadron, 4th Cavalry; Associate Professor of Financial Management and Department Executive Officer at the United States Military Academy; White House Fellow in the Executive Office of President Reagan; Aviation Brigade S3 and Executive Officer, 7th Infantry Division (Light); Squadron Commander, 2nd Squadron, 9th Cavalry; Senior Military Fellow at the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies; Congressional Staff Officer and Legislative Fellow in the Office of the Secretary of the Army; and Aviation Brigade Commander, 1st Armored Division. Colonel Webb's combat experience includes service as Deputy Commander of the Aviation Brigade Task Force with Joint Task Force South and 7th Infantry Division (Light) during Operation Just Cause, the liberation of Panama. From December 1995 to December 1996, Colonel Webb's aviation brigade was deployed to Bosnia-Herzegovina as part of a multi-national peace implementation force during Operation Joint Endeavor. His Aviation Task Force was command and control headquarters for 120 Task Force Eagle helicopters that safely flew over 33,000 flying hours in treacherous conditions to compel peace in the war-ravaged Balkans. Colonel Webb's awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, three awards of the Meritorious Service Medal, three awards of the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Star, Armed Forces Service Medal, NATO Medal, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, and Army Superior Unit Award, as well as the Senior Army Aviator, Assault, Presidential Service, Joint Staff, and Army Staff Badges. Colonel Webb's units have been recognized for the following Army level professional excellence awards: Draper Armor Leadership Award (1980), AAAA Outstanding Army Aviation Unit of the Year (1989, 1996), Army Outstanding Aviation Logistics Support Unit of the Year (1992, 1996), Combat Support Air Traffic Control Unit of the Year (1996), LTG Parker Top Army Combat Battalion of the Year (1995, 1996), and LTG Parker Overall Winner and Top Army Combat Support Battalion of the Year (1996). Colonel Webb is committed to his community, where he has served actively in church, neighborhood, youth sports, welfare, and family support activities. He is blessed by his wife, Kathryn, and their children, David (19), Kristy (17), and Willy (9). Their life together is thoroughly focused on service to the Lord and their country, as well as enjoyment of family, friends, sports, travel, and people. In 1990, First Lady Barbara Bush honored the Webb family as a recipient of the Great American Family Award. Colonel Webb is a dynamic and resourceful Army officer who throughout his career has proven to be an indispensable professional. His contributions and distinguished service will have long-term benefits for both the military and our Nation he so proudly served. As Colonel Webb enters into his new profession, we will certainly miss him and wish him and his family the very best. ____________________