[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 8]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 11767]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




         HONORING U.S. AIR FORCE MAJOR GENERAL DOUGLAS BURNETT

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ANDER CRENSHAW

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 24, 2010

  Mr. CRENSHAW. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor U.S. Air Force 
Major General Douglas Burnett, the Adjunct General of Florida, for 47 
years of distinguished service to his country and the state of Florida. 
Major General Burnett exemplifies the values of a committed military 
officer.
  General Burnett began his career with the Florida National Guard in 
1963 as an electronics specialist. For the next six years, he was an 
aircraft radio repairman with the 125th Fighter Group stationed in his 
hometown of Jacksonville, Florida. It was during this time that he 
decided he wanted to be a fighter pilot.
  Following his graduation from the University of Mississippi and his 
commissioning as an Air Force officer, Second Lieutenant Burnett became 
a full-time alert pilot with the 125th, flying the F-102 Delta Dagger. 
He also flew commercially for Pan American World Airways and United 
Airlines. He remained an active member of the Guard and over the years 
served as pilot, air operations officer, staff director, chief of 
staff, and commander of the Florida Air National Guard. In 1996, 
Brigadier General Burnett became the Assistant Adjunct General as well 
as Commander of the Florida Air National Guard.
  On November 3, 2001, for the first time in the history of the Florida 
National Guard an Air National Guard officer was appointed The Adjunct 
General of Florida (TAG), overseeing 12,000 soldiers and airmen. As the 
new leader of all Guardsmen, MG Burnett, who was well versed in blue 
suit issues, immersed himself in soldier, or green suit, issues 
including the proper usage of the word hoorah. He studied basic 
infantry tactics, weaponry and other army equipment. His preparation 
paid off as he became a wartime TAG. General Burnett set the highest 
standards for excellence and then led by example to reach and surpass 
those goals. Using his personality, skill, resourcefulness and the 
ability to manage and juggle priorities to meet the support needs of 
the Guard and their families, General Burnett has upheld the highest 
traditions of the Florida National Guard. He became fluent in two 
languages--Army and Air Force--and understood that the crew chief on a 
flight line is as committed as the soldier crawling through the mud. 
His engaged leadership was the catalyst behind the Florida National 
Guard being positioned to not only respond to the Global War on Terror 
but maintain its state duties and react to 14 hurricanes, five 
firefighting seasons, major tornadoes, and border security missions. 
More than 11,000 Florida Guardsmen have served in combat zones around 
the world over the last nine years.
  General Burnett worried that his Guardsmen, who were called to active 
duty, would not be as well equipped as the active duty military units. 
He worked with the Florida Congressional Delegation and as a result, 
his troops received both the training and the equipment they needed in 
battle. This ``hands-on'' General saw another problem--troops were 
being deployed not for six months but for longer periods of time. His 
citizen soldiers left jobs and higher paychecks for military 
compensation. Debts based on the higher pay still came due even when 
the service member was ``doing his duty.'' Families became frightened. 
So, General Burnett traveled the state explaining to families why their 
soldiers were serving and promising to support the families. He worked 
with the Florida Legislature to ensure that Florida offers the 
military, including Guardsmen, the best benefits of any state.
  Under his watch, General Burnett made readiness the watch word of the 
Florida National Guard. He realized and stressed that you can't take a 
reserve force and put them on active duty capable of fulfilling the 
missions unless they are ready. His readiness mantra has served his 
soldiers and airmen well. The Florida National Guard has built a 
reputation that its members are not only ready to serve but capable of 
fulfilling its missions overseas as well as here in Florida.
  This Saturday, June 26, 2010, Major General Douglas Burnett will 
retire after 47 years, four months and 12 days, setting a record as the 
longest serving Air Force officer. He will miss the people committed 
like he was to serving his country and state. Florida will miss his 
dedicated leadership and commitment to excellence.
  And on behalf of the State of Florida and the 4th Congressional 
District, it is my privilege to recognize the dedication, caring and 
leadership that makes Major General Douglas Burnett a leader among men 
and an outstanding Floridian.

                          ____________________