[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 13]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 17772]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




               TRIBUTE TO LIEUTENANT COLONEL DAVID BYRNES

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. AMO HOUGHTON

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 10, 2003

  Mr. HOUGHTON. Mr. Speaker, as the Senior Marine in the Congress, I 
rise to pay tribute to Lieutenant Colonel David Byrnes, United States 
Marine Corps, on the occasion of his retirement from active duty. 
Lieutenant Colonel Byrnes has served our Marine Corps and our great 
Nation for more than a quarter of a century.
  A native of my home state, Lieutenant Colonel Byrnes grew up in 
Stoneybrook, New York. After graduating from Smithtown High School in 
1977, a young David Byrnes followed in the footsteps of several great 
generations of New Yorkers and enlisted in the military. Like a few 
good New Yorkers before him he chose a challenging path--the Marine 
Corps. Lieutenant Colonel Byrnes' service as an enlisted aircraft 
technician took him from Memphis, Tennessee, to Beaufort, South 
Carolina, and eventually to Jacksonville, North Carolina.
  In 1981, after these successful tours, Lieutenant Colonel Byrnes 
continued to excel and take on greater challenges, transferring to the 
reserves to attend Dowling College in Oakdale, New York, where he was 
awarded a Bachelors of Arts degree in 1982. By 1984 he had earned a 
commission as an Officer of Marines. From 1985 to 2000, Lieutenant 
Colonel Byrnes served in many of my colleagues' home states including 
South Carolina, New York, Kansas, Oregon, Virginia, and Louisiana. As a 
testament to his talent and versatility Lieutenant Colonel Byrnes 
earned three military occupational specialties during these tours, 
including Aircraft Maintenance Officer, Adjutant, and Legal Officer. He 
served with distinction and honor in all of these roles. In 2000, 
Lieutenant Colonel Byrnes was selected to attend the Naval War College 
in Newport, Rhode Island, where he earned a Masters Degree in National 
Security and Strategic Studies. He immediately put this education to 
use serving in the J8 Forces Division on the Joint Staff, where he had 
responsibilities for the Secretary of Defense's Annual Report to the 
President and the Congress.
  After his joint staff tour, Lieutenant Colonel Byrnes began his last 
tour of duty in the Marine Corps--serving in the Marine Corps' Office 
of Legislative Affairs. In this position he interacted with the 
Congress to explain Reserve Affairs to Congressional Members and their 
staffs. This was a position of enormous responsibility, made all the 
more so because of the ongoing War on Terror, Operation Enduring 
Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom, which have all called for a large 
measure of devotion from our reserve forces. Lieutenant Colonel Byrnes 
has performed this highly challenging and difficult task flawlessly, 
always providing wise counsel and plain speaking. We have been 
fortunate to have such a capable Marine officer interact with us.
  Throughout his career, Lieutenant Colonel Byrnes has demonstrated 
strong character, discerning wisdom, and a sincere, selfless sense of 
duty to his Marines. In recognition of his devotion to duty and 
exemplary performance Lieutenant Colonel Byrnes was awarded the Defense 
Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with 1 star, Navy 
and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with 2 stars and a Navy and Marine 
Corps Achievement Medal.
  On behalf of all my colleagues, I would like to recognize Lieutenant 
Colonel Byrnes' accomplishments and his devoted service to the Nation. 
Congratulations to Dave, his wife Quinn, and son Charlie, on the 
completion of a long and distinguished career. I wish them all the best 
as they continue to live life beyond our beloved Corps.

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