[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 10]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 14702]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




           TRIBUTE TO LIEUTENANT COLONEL EDWARD M. FORTUNATO

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. ROBIN HAYES

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 10, 2008

  Mr. HAYES. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and to pay 
tribute to Lieutenant Colonel Edward M. Fortunato, United States Army, 
on the occasion of his retirement from active duty. Lieutenant Colonel 
Fortunato, a truly exceptional officer, has served our great Nation for 
more than 20 years and I am proud to call him my friend.
  Over the past three years, I have had the honor of working with LTC 
Fortunato on a variety of issues during his tenure as the Congressional 
Liaison for all Army Aviation programs. As a fellow aviator, I have 
come to know and respect Ed and his dedication to his work on behalf of 
the warfighter. There is no doubt that LTC Fortunato has been 
instrumental in educating Members of the House Armed Services Committee 
on Army Aviation programs and initiatives. His tireless efforts working 
with members of the Committee and staff was singularly instrumental in 
the successful authorization and appropriation of the Light Utility 
Helicopter, Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter, Joint Cargo Aircraft, 
Chinook Multi-year, Apache, Black Hawk Multi-year and numerous Unmanned 
Aerial Vehicle and Aviation Research and Development projects.
  My staff and I worked especially closely with Ed on the Joint Cargo 
Aircraft program, and I am convinced that the success of our 
Congressional efforts, and the ability of the JCA program to move 
forward, is in large part due to LTC Fortunato.
  On behalf of Congress and the United States of America, I thank LTC 
Fortunato for his tireless efforts in the support of Army 
transformation. His professionalism, expertise, and efforts showcase 
his patriotism, and his dedication to his fellow aviators and 
warfighters in the field. LTC Fortunato is a true Jedi Knight.
  I want to personally thank LTC Ed Fortunato, his wife Monique and his 
entire family for their commitment, sacrifice, and the contributions 
they have made throughout his honorable military service. I 
congratulate LTC Ed Fortunato on completing an exceptional and 
extremely successful military career and his dedicated service to our 
Nation. I wish Ed and his family many blessings and much success as he 
begins his future endeavors and embarks on new adventures.

                          ____________________