[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 9]
[Senate]
[Page 11514]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




             TRIBUTE TO LIEUTENANT COLONEL WILLIE J. BROWN

 Mr. MILLER. Mr. President, it is my pleasure to honor an 
extraordinary marine, LTC Willie J. Brown. Lieutenant Colonel Brown has 
served for 29 years, 4 months and 4 days in service to our Nation. He 
began his military service as an ensign in the Navy and later earned a 
commission as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps. He has 
served in times of war and peace, and throughout he has given a full 
measure, as marines are renowned for doing. His awards include the 
Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, the 
Joint Meritorious Unit Award, a Meritorious Unit Commendation, the 
National Defense Service Medal with two stars, and the Sea Service 
Deployment Ribbon.
  During Lieutenant Colonel Brown's last active duty assignment, he 
served as a legislative liaison officer in the Marine Corps' Office of 
Legislative Affairs. That office supports Members of Congress and the 
congressional committees on issues relating to the Marine Corps and the 
security of our Nation. In this position, Colonel Brown played a vital 
role in ensuring that responses to all inquiries and congressional 
requests for information and inquiries were provided quickly, 
accurately, and completely; thereby, allowing Members of this body the 
ability to readily address issues of national importance.
  Some of Lieutenant Colonel Brown's many responsibilities included 
expert preparation of Marine Corps leadership for congressional 
testimony on high-interest military programs and assisting Members on 
congressional travel to visit military installations throughout the 
continental United States. His attention to detail in all matters was 
unsurpassed, and his complete grasp of the facets of naval warfare 
helped to ensure a bright future for our Marine Corps.
  Prior to joining the Office of Legislative Affairs, Lieutenant 
Colonel Brown spent the majority of his Marine Corps career in the 
aviation field. He started as a second lieutenant with the 2nd Marine 
Aircraft Wing and continued to rise through the ranks. He went on to 
become the commanding officer of Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 26. 
Under his superb leadership, that squadron won the wing's ``Squadron of 
the Year'' award for three consecutive years. The commandant also 
recognized his squadron with the Marine Corps Quality Improvement Award 
for Excellence.
  Lieutenant Colonel Brown is a learned, professional marine, as 
evidenced by his attendance at the School of Advanced Warfare, and the 
Marine Corps Command and Staff College. Further, he is a well-rounded, 
native Georgian who willingly serves his fellow man. While assigned as 
the special assistant to the Assistant Secretary of the Navy for 
Manpower and Reserve Affairs, he was awarded the Roy Wilkins 
Distinguished Service Award by the NAACP. This award is granted each 
year to one marine who has made personal sacrifices resulting in 
significant contributions in the areas of civil and human rights.
  As a leader of marines, Lieutenant Colonel Brown has made a lasting 
contribution to the Marine Corps and will be sorely missed by those who 
have had the opportunity to serve with him. I join with his friends and 
family as he celebrates this richly deserved retirement. I wish him, 
his wife Cynthia, and their family my best as he enjoys every day of 
this new journey. Semper Fidelis.

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