[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 6]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 7100]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




           CONGRESSIONAL TRIBUTE TO COLONEL JAMES E. MAKOWSKE

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BART STUPAK

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 20, 2004

  Mr. STUPAK. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the many years of dedication 
and achievements of my good friend, Col. James E. Makowske, who after 
25 years of active duty, retired April 16th, 2004 as Commander of the 
U.S. Air National Guard's Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center. 
Jim's leadership and decades of service to further the best interests 
of America and the Air National Guard have more than earned him this 
great honor.
  Born in Detroit in 1956, Jim was raised in Capac and graduated from 
Capac High School in 1975. That year, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force 
and served for four years as an F-15 Aircraft Maintenance technician at 
Langley Air Force Base in the 1st Tactical Fighter Wing.
  He separated from the Air Force in 1979 to attend Michigan State 
University where he earned his bachelors degree in engineering in 1982. 
The tug of service brought him back to enlist in the Michigan Air 
National Guard that year at Selfridge ANG Base. He received his 
commission in 1983 and his navigator wings in 1984. He served as a 
weapons system officer in the F-4, in the 191st Fighter Interceptor 
Group until 1988--the same year he completed his Master's Degree in 
Business Administration (MBA).
  Jim transferred to the 110th Fighter Wing as the Chief of Engineering 
and Design in 1988. He then served as the Base Civil Engineer from 1989 
to 1999 and concurrently served in the 110th Civil Engineer Squadron 
Commander starting in 1991. In 1999, he was assigned as the commander 
of the Alpena CRTC and was promoted to Colonel in March 2001.
  Jim has also found time to serve the Alpena community. He has been a 
member of the Alpena Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors since 1999 
and served as its president in 2003. He also has served on the Boards 
of the Boys and Girls Clubs, Target Alpena and is a member of the 
Alpena Rotary Club.
  Jim is married to Carol Makowske (McIver) and has two children, Coral 
and Nathanial. Nathanial has continued the family tradition of military 
service when he enlisted last year in the Air National Guard in Battle 
Creek.
  Mr. Speaker, Col. Jim Makowske's military career and service to our 
country can be characterized by putting the needs of others before his 
own. Our Nation, the State of Michigan and the Alpena Community have 
long benefited from his selflessness, and I ask you and my House 
colleagues to acknowledge his lifetime of service.

                          ____________________