[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 13]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 17399]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




    LIEUTENANT COLONEL LAWRENCE A. MILLBEN RECEIVES THE CHAMPION OF 
                            EXCELLENCE AWARD

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JOHN CONYERS, JR.

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 22, 2004

  Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to acknowledge one of my 
constituents, Lieutenant Colonel Lawrence A. Millben, Support Group 
Commander of the 127th Wing of the Selfridge Air National Guard Base in 
Michigan. This Saturday, July 24, 2004, he will be recognized by the 
North American Black Historical Museum with a Champion of Excellence 
Award for his many achievements, particularly within the realm of 
aviation. Like the North American Black Historical Museum, I am 
impressed by his accomplishments in the United States and Canada. I am 
especially proud of Lieutenant Colonel Millben because of the numerous 
contributions and firsts realized in my District, the 14th 
Congressional District of Michigan, because of him.
  Lieutenant Colonel Millben, born in Detroit, Michigan and educated in 
the Detroit Public School System, has achieved many firsts and has set 
an exceptional example. He was the first African American to graduate 
from Aero Mechanics High School, one of four schools in the country 
that specializes in aircraft maintenance. After high school, he became 
the first African American to enlist in the Michigan Air National 
Guard. In 1957, he continued his education and attended the basic and 
the advanced technician level Aircraft Electrical Schools, completing 
both simultaneously. This was the first time in the history of the Air 
Force School that anyone completed both schools simultaneously.
  After attending the Air Force School, he went on to have a rewarding 
career in the private sector, as well as in the military. He was 
employed by the Burroughs Corporation from 1959 through 1975 and holds 
several United States Patents. He has also advised the Detroit Public 
School System on Aircraft Avionics and Aerospace subjects as a 
consultant.
  Military highlights for the Lieutenant Colonel include serving as a 
full time Avionics Officer from 1975 until 1983, acting as the 191st 
Consolidated Aircraft Maintenance Squadron Commander in 1983, becoming 
the first African American Line Officer promoted to the grade of 
Lieutenant Colonel Millben in 1986, and assuming the position of Deputy 
Commander for Maintenance in 1988. From 1987-1988, he also served as 
the President of the 12,000 members National Guard Association of 
Michigan, the first African American Air Guardsman to do so. Finally, 
in his current capacity of Support Group Commander of the 127th Wing of 
the Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Michigan, he accomplished 
another first, as he was the first African American to assume this role 
as well.
  Awards and decorations received by Lieutenant Colonel Millben include 
the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, National Defense Service Medal, 
Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Award, and the Major General 
John A. Johnston Award for Excellence. He also received the State of 
Michigan Award for Continued Support of Vocational Education in 1985 
and the Spirit of Detroit Award in 1987. He completed Air Command and 
Staff College in 1980 and Air War College in 1993. He is married to the 
former Jean Wilburn and is the father of Sheryl, Patricia Millben-
Craft, and Lawrence, Jr.

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