[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 6]
[Senate]
[Page 8330]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO MICHAEL A. PARKER

  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to a 
dedicated public servant and a true friend to the people of Kentucky, 
Mr. Michael A. Parker. After years of exemplary work as the program 
manager for the Assembled Chemical Weapons Alternatives Program at the 
Department of Defense, Mr. Parker is retiring, and I want to express to 
him my thanks for his service.
  Mr. Parker has held the post of program manager since December 1996. 
In that role, he consistently worked hard toward the goal of safely and 
expeditiously disposing of the dangerous chemical agents stored at the 
Blue Grass Army Depot in Madison County, KY. The people of Madison 
County are living right next door to over 500 tons of the deadliest 
material ever conceived by man. Understandably, they would like to see 
these weapons disposed of as safely and quickly as possible. Mike has 
been a key player in working toward that goal.
  Mike appreciates the unique culture at the Assembled Chemical Weapons 
Alternatives Program and understands the need to work closely with the 
local community to reach acceptable solutions. The people of the 
Madison County area are going to miss Mike, as will I.
  Proof of Mike's drive for excellence in his work lies in his numerous 
honors and awards. He holds the Presidential Rank Award at both the 
Distinguished and Meritorious levels. He also holds the Defense 
Department Distinguished Civilian Service Award, the Army Decoration 
for Exceptional Civilian Service, the Army Research and Development 
Achievement Award, the Army Commander's Medal, and the Army Meritorious 
Civilian Service Award.
  Mr. President, Kentucky has been lucky to have such a friend in 
Michael A. Parker, and I speak for many in the Commonwealth when I say 
he will be missed. I ask my fellow Senators to join me in thanking Mike 
for his years of dedication and service and in wishing him good luck in 
his future endeavors.

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