[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 11]
[Senate]
[Page 15439]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




            RETIREMENT OF LIEUTENANT COLONEL VERNON SIMMONS

 Mr. DOMENICI. Mr. President, I would like to extend my best 
wishes to LTC Vernon Simmons who recently retired as deputy to the 
Director of Budget and Appropriations Liaison in the Office of the 
Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Financial Management and 
Comptroller. Vern's career as an Air Force officer defines service to 
one's country, and I know that Vern's dedication and leadership will be 
sorely missed by me and my staff, as well as his colleagues at the Air 
Force and the Department of Defense.
  Lieutenant Colonel Simmons' career exemplifies hard work and 
commitment to excellence. In 1983, he graduated with honors from 
Northeastern University in Boston with a bachelor of science degree in 
business administration. It was there that he also completed his 4-year 
ROTC program, prior to entering active duty. He also earned a master of 
arts degree in economics from the University of Oklahoma in 1994.
  Vern's first assignment was in Air Force Systems Command at Wright-
Patterson Air Force Base, OH. He was assigned to the program control 
office as a program control integrator on the F-15E aircraft. It was 
there that he also met his wonderful wife the former Celeste Aida Adams 
of Dayton, OH.
  Next up for Vern was an assignment at Misawa Air Base Japan where he 
worked in the 432nd Tactical Fighter Wing. Vern's leadership abilities 
shined through as he performed a wide variety of cost and management 
analyses while also serving as the wing's budget officer. For his 
efforts he was named Best Base Level Cost Officer of 1986 and in 1988 
was the Pacific Air Force's nominee to Ten Outstanding Young Men of 
America.
  Upon completing 4 years in Japan, Vern once again answered the call 
to duty and moved to Hickam Air Force Base, HI, in June of 1990. There 
he joined the Pacific Air Force Headquarters staff as lead analyst for 
the command's flying hours, ranges and training programs. He also 
served there as Chief of the mission support section, overseeing 
civilian pay, civil engineering, and communications and base support 
programs.
  Following subsequent assignments at the Pentagon, Seymour Johnson AFB 
and Headquarters AFMC, Lieutenant Colonel Simmons returned to 
Washington, DC, where he assumed the duties in the Budget and 
Appropriations Liaison Division for congressional matters. It was 
during this assignment that my staff and I came to know and rely on 
Vern. As a Senator from a State with three diverse Air Force bases, it 
is critical that I have the most current and reliable information about 
policies affecting the airmen and women from my State. Vern always came 
through for me and my staff. Whether sacrificing his own time to travel 
with us to Cannon, Holloman or Kirtland Air Force Base, or providing us 
with important answers to questions concerning the Air Force budget, 
Vern was always extremely professional, courteous and responsive. 
Indeed, LTC Vern Simmons has been a friend to my office, and I consider 
him a credit to the uniform of the U.S. Air Force.
  Now, as Vern moves on to a new career, I wish the best for him, 
Celeste and their two children, Alessandra and Chad. It is with great 
pleasure that I recognize him and his accomplishments. LTC Vernon 
Simmons, I thank you for a job well done.

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