[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 148 (2002), Part 10]
[Senate]
[Page 13059]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




     TRIBUTE TO LT. GEN. MICHAEL A. NELSON, U.S. AIR FORCE, RETIRED

 Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to an 
exceptional leader--Lieutenant General Mike Nelson, United States Air 
Force, Retired--in recognition of his remarkable career of service to 
our country.
  General Nelson has a truly distinguished record, including 35 years 
of commissioned service in the U.S. Air Force uniform, that merits 
special recognition on the occasion of his retirement as President of 
The Retired Officers Association (TROA).
  Born in East Los Angeles, California, he graduated from Stanford 
University and entered the Air Force as a second lieutenant in 1959, 
then earned his pilot's wings the following year. His subsequent 
military career exemplifies what the Air Force expects from its best 
and brightest.
  General Nelson demonstrated valor and leadership throughout his 35 
years of dedicated military service to his country, and has been a 
positive role model and mentor for countless officers of all services 
in his dedication to protecting the welfare of those who serve and 
sacrifice in uniform. That dedication and excellence has not diminished 
in his subsequent service to our nation's military community since 1995 
as President of The Retired Officers Association, the position from 
which he is now retiring.
  Under his thoughtful and inspired leadership, The Retired Officers 
Association has played a continuing, vital role as a staunch advocate 
of legislative initiatives to maintain readiness and improve the 
quality of life for all members of the uniformed service community--
active, reserve, and retired, plus their families and survivors.
  General Nelson has been a key supporter of the Armed Services 
Committee's efforts to improve long-term retention and readiness 
through a competitive compensation and retirement package for active 
and reserve forces, restoration of lifetime health care and fair 
disability treatment for retired personnel and their families, and 
enhancing protections for the survivors of deceased service members. 
Guided by his personal leadership efforts, TROA has been an invaluable 
source of information in the committee's deliberations on a long list 
of compensation and benefits issues during this extraordinarily 
productive period.
  General Nelson's long and exceptionally distinguished career of 
leadership and personal dedication to protecting our Nation and those 
who serve in our armed forces is an inspiration to all who care about 
maintaining a strong national defense. Our very best wishes go with him 
for long life, well-earned happiness, and continued success in service 
to his nation and the uniformed service members whom he has so 
admirably led and served.
  As a former Sailor and Marine, I offer General Nelson a grateful and 
heartfelt salute.

                          ____________________