[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 3]
[Senate]
[Page 3323]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                     HONORING MAJOR JEFF JURGENSEN

 Mr. OBAMA. Mr. President, it is my pleasure and privilege to 
honor an exceptional Marine, MAJ Jeff Jurgensen. Major Jurgensen has 
served our Nation for more than 20 years. Rising from the rank of 
Marine Private, he has served around the globe in both war and peace. 
Major Jurgensen was born in Oak Park, IL, and spent much of his youth 
in the Chicago area.
  He began his Marine Corps service at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot, 
Parris Island, SC. He also completed the School of Infantry, Camp 
Lejeune. Assigned duties as a Marine Corps Combat Correspondent, he 
subsequently graduated from the Military Print and Broadcast Journalist 
Program at the Defense Information School.
  Major Jurgensen was then stationed in Tokyo, Japan, as a 
Correspondent for the Armed Forces Radio and Television Service. 
Promoted to Corporal while in Japan, Major Jurgensen was selected for 
the Enlisted Commissioning Program and transferred to Quantico, VA, 
where he attended Officer Candidate School and the Basic School--
graduating with Honors. As a Marine Officer, Major Jurgensen has served 
in North Carolina, Missouri, Louisiana, and Washington, DC. In 
addition, during his career, he has deployed in support of Hurricane 
Andrew Relief Operations in Dade County, FL, Operation Enduring Freedom 
in the Horn of Africa, and Operation Iraqi Freedom in Bahrain, Kuwait, 
and Iraq.
  Since 2004, Major Jurgensen has been assigned to the Marine Corps' 
Office of Legislative Affairs as a Congressional Liaison 
Representative. Responding to more than 4,000 inquiries from Members of 
Congress, Major Jurgensen has worked aggressively to provide our 
Nation's elected leaders with critical information regarding Marine 
Corps operations, policies, programs, and personnel. His efforts have 
measurably contributed to the mission of the Marine Corps, U.S. House 
of Representatives, and Senate. His skill, judgment, and complete 
dedication to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of the 
United States Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.
  I wish Major Jurgensen, his wife Kamlyn--also from Illinois--and 
their wonderful family the very best as they begin a new life. I am 
particularly proud that residents of the great State of Illinois choose 
to join the Marine Corps and serve this Nation. Major Jurgensen has 
done so with distinction. On behalf of the Senate, I wish to extend my 
heartfelt thanks and gratitude. May he have many more years of 
continuing success.

                          ____________________