[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 11]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 15008]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




             A TRIBUTE TO BRIGADIER GENERAL JENNIFER WALTER

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. TOM LATHAM

                                of iowa

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 12, 2012

  Mr. LATHAM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and congratulate 
Jennifer Walter for attaining the rank of Brigadier General as she 
becomes the next Chief of Staff of the Iowa Air National Guard. This is 
a truly momentous occasion for the State of Iowa as Jennifer is the 
first female General Officer in the history of the Iowa Air National 
Guard.
  Jennifer Walter began her historic career as a technician in 1975 as 
a temporary Clerk in Operations. Airman Walter would serve the next 11 
years of her career as an enlisted person in various roles before 
receiving her commission for the Academy of Military Science as a 
Second Lieutenant in 1986. Three short years later, Lieutenant Walter 
had received a Bachelor of Science degree from Upper Iowa University, 
and would go on to successfully complete Squadron Officer School in 
1994, Air Command and Staff College in 2000, and Air War College in 
2004. Throughout her career, she has won numerous awards and 
decorations including the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, Air 
Force Achievement Medal, NATO Medal, and the State of Iowa Commendation 
Medal, just to name a few.
  Since January of last year, Colonel Walter had held the position of 
Vice Wing Commander of the 132nd Fighter Wing in Des Moines where she 
was uniquely responsible for exercising command responsibilities and 
providing a combat ready force for mobilization. This position included 
ensuring mission ready personnel, equipment, and F-16C aircraft for 
worldwide tasking by commanding over 970 personnel and 21 aircraft. On 
Sunday, the Iowa Air National Guard will formally bestow Brigadier 
General Walter with her new role as she assumes the prestigious role as 
Chief of Staff of the Iowa Air National Guard where she will directly 
assist Iowa's Adjutant General.
  Mr. Speaker, I have been a long-time, outspoken supporter of Iowa's 
132nd Fighter Wing in Des Moines because of the remarkable men and 
women who are the best in the Nation at what they do. Jennifer Walter's 
career is a testament to the 132nd Fighter Wing and what Iowans are 
capable of through hard work and unwavering commitment to a cause 
greater than themselves. I applaud Brigadier General Walter on her most 
recent promotion in her remarkably storied career. I invite my 
colleagues in the House to join me in congratulating Jennifer, and all 
of the Iowa Air National Guard, on the continued excellence they 
provide to Des Moines, the State of Iowa, and our Nation as a whole.

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