[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 19]
[Senate]
[Page 25650]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




             TIRBUTE TO LIEUTENANT COLONEL MICHEL G. JONES

 Mr. INHOFE. Madam President, today, I recognize the service 
LTC Michel ``Shel'' G. Jones, on the occasion of his retirement from 
active duty in the U.S. Army. Lieutenant Colonel Jones is an 
exceptional officer who has served our great Nation for more than 28 
years, including 22 years on active duty and 6 years in the Iowa Army 
National Guard.
  I have personally come to know and respect Lieutenant Colonel Jones 
over the 2\1/2\ years he served as an Army congressional liaison for 
the Army's weapons and tracked combat vehicles programs, to include the 
Army's Future Combat System. His expertise and commitment were 
instrumental in educating Members and staff in the Senate and House on 
Army combat systems, modernization programs and initiatives. His 
tireless efforts working with Members and staff of the Senate and House 
Armed Services Committees were instrumental in the successful 
authorization and appropriation of the Abrams tank, Bradley fighting 
vehicle, small arms and crew-served weapons, Stryker, elements of the 
Future Combat System and the Paladin Integrated Management programs.
  Lieutenant Colonel Jones' congressional liaison assignment was only 
the capstone to what is an outstanding career of service to the Army 
and our Nation. He served as an armor officer in numerous command and 
staff positions. His operational assignments began in the Mojave Desert 
at Fort Irwin, CA, serving as a platoon leader at the National Training 
Center where he trained thousands of soldiers in desert warfare. He 
served as commander for Alpha Company, 4th Battalion 37th Armor, Heavy, 
followed by command of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd of 
the 70th Armor Battalion with the 1st Armored Division at Fort Riley, 
KS. After transitioning in to the acquisition career field, Lieutenant 
Colonel Jones was assigned to Fort Knox, KY, as a combat development 
officer and as a project manager for the Army's Future Combat System, 
FCS, in Detroit, MI.
  The strength of our soldiers comes from their families. Lieutenant 
Colonel Jones' strength came from his wife Dynette, and his two sons 
Colton and Conner. This Nation is grateful for their commitment and 
personal sacrifices made throughout Shel's military service. We also 
thank his mother Joyce, who recently passed, and his father William 
``Gerry'' Jones for raising such a fine son and patriot. Shel is from a 
military family. His father is a retired soldier and his brother, Dr. 
Keith Jones, serves as a major in the National Guard. This Nation 
remains indebted to your service.
  On behalf of the Senate and the United States of America, I commend 
Lieutenant Colonel Jones for his tireless efforts in the support of our 
Army, our military, and our Nation. As Shel and his family prepare to 
start a new life in the great State of Oklahoma, I congratulate him on 
completing an extremely successful military career and wish all of them 
the best in all their future endeavors.

                          ____________________