[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 9]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 12499-12500]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




               TRIBUTE TO MAJOR GENERAL RANDAL R. CASTRO

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. IKE SKELTON

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 12, 2008

  Mr. SKELTON. Madam Speaker, let me recognize the service of Major 
General Randal R. Castro as his career comes to an end after 33 years 
of dedicated service in the United States Army.
  Major General Castro began his distinguished career upon graduation 
from the United States Military Academy, West Point, New York in 1975, 
where he received his bachelor's degree. In addition to a master's 
degree in civil engineering from Stanford University, his military 
education includes the Engineer Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, the 
U.S. Marine Corps Command and Staff College, and the U.S. Naval War 
College where he earned a master's degree in national security and 
strategic studies and subsequently served as a Professor.
  During his 33 years of service to the nation, Major General Castro 
held a variety of command and staff assignments. These range from the 
platoon to the army level, held engineer battalion and brigade command, 
served as Commanding General, U.S. Army Pacific and South Atlantic 
Engineer Divisions, and served as Special Assistant to the Commanding 
General, U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command. Prior to assuming his 
current duties, Major General Castro served concurrently as Commandant, 
U.S. Army Engineer School, Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, and Commanding 
General, U.S. Army Maneuver Support Center, also at Fort Leonard

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Wood, Missouri, where he oversaw the Army's Engineer, Military Police 
and Chemical Schools.
  Major General Castro's decorations and awards include: the 
Distinguished Service Medal; Legion of Merit (with three oak leaf 
clusters); Meritorious Service Medal (with two oak leaf clusters); Army 
Commendation Medal (with four oak leaf clusters); Navy Commendation 
Medal; Army Achievement Medal; and the Parachutist Badge.
  Major General Castro currently serves as the Deputy Director, Defense 
Threat Reduction Agency. In this capacity, Major General Castro helps 
safeguard America and its allies from Weapons of Mass Destruction by 
providing capabilities to reduce, eliminate, and respond to the threats 
posed by such weapons. I'm certain that the Members of the House will 
join me in honoring Major General Randal R. Castro for his outstanding 
service to our country.

                          ____________________