[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 13]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 17380-17381]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




           TRIBUTE TO RETIRING COLONEL DONALD R. CURTIS, JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. IKE SKELTON

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 22, 2004

  Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, it has come to my attention that Colonel 
Donald R. Curtis, Jr. is retiring after a long and distinguished 
career.
  Colonel Curtis' outstanding service to the nation has been marked by 
meritorious service in increasingly demanding command and staff 
positions in both the United States and overseas. Throughout his 
career, Colonel Curtis demonstrated strong, outstanding executive 
ability, and dedication to the spirit and mission of the United States 
Army.
  Colonel Curtis was commissioned from the United States Military 
Academy in 1979. He is a graduate of Ohio State University, holding a 
Master of Science Degree in Civil Engineering. He also graduated from 
the Engineer Officer Basic and Advanced Courses School, the United 
States Army Command and General Staff College, and the United States 
War College. He is a registered Professional Engineer as well.

[[Page 17381]]

  Colonel Curtis served in command and staff positions over the past 
twenty-five years. He served as a platoon leader in the 902nd Engineer 
Company (Assault Float Bridge) at Fort Belvoir, Virginia. He was 
commander of B Company, 44th Engineer Battalion in the Republic of 
Korea. Then he did a tour as Assistant Resident Engineer for the Fort 
Leonard Wood Resident Office, Kansas City District. He served as 
Battalion Operations Officer, 12th Engineer Battalion, 1st Armored 
Division at Mannheim, Germany, and served in a joint assignment with 
the Defense Intelligence Agency. He was the commander of the Walla 
Walla District from 1996-1998, and then did a tour on the Army Staff. 
He now is retiring from the Army after having served his last 
assignment as the District Engineer for the Fort Leonard Wood Resident 
Office, Kansas City District.
  Colonel Curtis's awards and decorations include the Defense 
Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Anny 
Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, 
Humanitarian Service Medal, Parachutist Badge, Ranger Tab and the Army 
Staff Identification Badge.
  Mr. Speaker, I know the Members of the House will join me in paying 
tribute to Colonel Donald R. Curtis, Jr. for his exceptional commitment 
to the United States Army and the United States of America.

                          ____________________