[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 15]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 21312]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 HONORING MR. MIKE BUNCH, DEPUTY COMMANDER OF THE JOINT MANUFACTURING 
              AND TECHNOLOGY CENTER AT ROCK ISLAND ARSENAL

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DAVID LOEBSACK

                                of iowa

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, December 16, 2011

   Mr. LOEBSACK. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to recognize the long, 
successful, and highly dedicated career of Mr. Mike Bunch, the Deputy 
Commander of the Joint Manufacturing and Technology Center, which is 
located at the Rock Island Arsenal. Mr. Bunch has served our country as 
an employee of the United States Army for over 34 years. A native of 
Moline, Illinois and a proud graduate of Upper Iowa University, Mike 
followed his great-grandfather, grandfather, grandmother, mother, and 
father to work on the Rock Island Arsenal. His first job on the Island 
was as a second shift keypunch operator earning $3 an hour. Since then, 
he has worked on Rock Island Arsenal for all but three years of his 
adult life, even meeting his wife of 34 years, Julie, on the Island.
  During that time, Mike served with the Army Material Command, 
Information Systems Command, and the Army Corps of Engineers. He has 
dedicated his career to ensuring that our Soldiers have the equipment 
they need to safely carry out their missions. I have not met a person 
more dedicated to our Soldiers, the United States Army, or Rock Island 
Arsenal than Mike. His expertise has served the Joint Manufacturing and 
Technology Center and our nation exceedingly well, and I have often 
relied on his years of knowledge and expertise in my work for the Rock 
Island Arsenal and our Soldiers.
  Mike is very humble and most likely would not admit this himself, 
but, while his retirement is well-deserved, it is also a significant 
loss to the Rock Island Arsenal. His commitment to the Arsenal and the 
work of the Joint Manufacturing and Technology Center to equip our 
troops is unparalleled. Whether it was during his time as a tool 
grinder at the Arsenal or his four years as Deputy Commander, his 
commitment to producing nothing but top quality equipment and carrying 
on the proud tradition of the Rock Island Arsenal has been demonstrated 
in every position he has held. Under his leadership, production rates 
at the Arsenal have gone up, prices have been reduced, and the Arsenal 
was able to meet the needs of our troops more quickly. Fortunately, 
Mike's retirement is not the end of the family legacy on the Island 
his--son Ryan began as a pipe fitter at the Arsenal and currently works 
at Army Contracting Command-Rock Island.
  On behalf of all of my constituents, I would like to thank Mike for 
his years of service to Rock Island Arsenal, the United States Army, 
and our nation. I know I join his colleagues, friends, and loved ones 
in wishing him well in his retirement.

                          ____________________