[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 16]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 22497]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




    RECOGNIZING THE HONORABLE DUNCAN HUNTER ON THE OCCASION OF HIS 
                               RETIREMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JO BONNER

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 25, 2008

  Mr. BONNER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the distinguished 
career of the Honorable Duncan Hunter for his service to the people of 
California and the United States House of Representatives. Congressman 
Hunter has represented the 52nd Congressional District of the state of 
California for the past 28 years.
  Congressman Hunter was born and raised in Riverside, California, and 
graduated from Rubidoux High School. He attended the University of 
Montana before transferring to the University of California, Santa 
Barbara. Feeling compelled to serve in Vietnam, he left college and 
joined the United States Army in 1969.
  Serving in South Vietnam, Duncan was a member of the 173rd Airborne 
and 75th Army Rangers during the Vietnam War. A decorated Vietnam War 
veteran, he was awarded the Bronze Star and the Air Medal as well as 
other service ribbons.
  Following his service in Vietnam, Duncan earned his Juris Doctor from 
the Thomas Jefferson School of Law, and upon graduation, he opened his 
own law practice.
  Elected to Congress at the age of 32, Congressman Hunter was named a 
member of the Armed Services Committee in just his first term. From his 
post on this powerful panel, he supported President Ronald Reagan's 
massive military buildup in the arms race with the Soviet Union in the 
1980s, and he was an outspoken critic of President Bill Clinton's 
efforts to scale back the military in the 1990s.
  In the 109th Congress, Congressman Hunter was named chairman of the 
House Armed Services Committee and serves as ranking member in the 
110th. Chairman Hunter is known as an ardent supporter of military 
modernization initiatives. With the nation's largest naval base located 
in the 52nd District, he has been a staunch supporter of military 
personnel and their families, ensuring they are well-compensated and 
well-equipped.
  Chairman Hunter has also been a leader in making our Nation's borders 
more secure. He was the guiding force behind legislation making the 
military the lead agency in illegal drug interdiction, using military 
units for building roads and fencing along the United States--Mexico 
border, and authorizing an additional 5,000 border patrol agents.
  Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing a 
devoted leader and friend to many in this body. I know his family, his 
wife, Lynne; their two children; four grandchildren; and his many 
colleagues and friends join me in commending his accomplishments and 
extending thanks for his service over the years on behalf of the state 
of California and the United States of America.
  Chairman Hunter will surely enjoy the well-deserved time he now has 
to spend with his family and loved ones. I wish him the best of luck in 
all his future endeavors.

                          ____________________