[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 15]
[Senate]
[Page 20982]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




              TRIBUTE TO LIEUTENANT COLONEL JEAN McGINNIS

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I rise today to congratulate LTC Jean 
McGinnis upon retiring from military service. For more than 25 years, 
our Nation has been fortunate to have such an intelligent, accomplished 
and decorated American in our armed services.
  Lieutenant McGinnis exemplifies selfless devotion to one's country. 
Born in Deadwood, SD, Lieutenant McGinnis began her service early. The 
New Mexico Military Institute commissioned her as a 2nd lieutenant 
before she even completed her bachelor's degree at Texas A&M. She 
joined the Army Reserve as an active Guard Reserve Officer, and 
continued her education at Fort Eustis, VA, where she successfully 
passed the aviation maintenance officer course to become an Army test 
pilot in the UH-1 Huey helicopter.
  In 1991, Captain McGinnis was stationed in Pennsylvania at the Willow 
Grove Naval Air Station as the aviation operations officer for the 2/
288th Aviation Regiment. Five years later, she was assigned to the 
Office of the Chief, Army Reserve, Program Analysis and Evaluation 
Division and then as a budget analyst for the Army. In 1999, Major 
McGinnis moved to Arlington, VA, in order to serve as a congressional 
liaison after training at the Command and General Staff College.
  Throughout her service, Lieutenant McGinnis has gained wide 
recognition from her commanding officers. She has earned the 
Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army 
Achievement Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Senior Army 
Aviator Badge, and the Air Assault Badge and the Army Staff Badge. 
These accomplishments speak volumes for her dedicated service to the 
country.
  It is with great pride that I commend Lieutenant Jean McGinnis on 
this wonderful accomplishment. You have served our Nation with 
distinction, and I wish you the best on your well-deserved retirement.

                          ____________________