[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 13]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 19227]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 ANNOUNCING RECIPIENTS OF THE 2013 CONGRESSIONAL VETERAN COMMENDATION 
                    FOR THE THIRD DISTRICT OF TEXAS

                                  _____
                                 

                            HON. SAM JOHNSON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, December 16, 2013

  Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, it is my privilege to honor 
fourteen distinguished military veterans, community servants, and 
American patriots who call the Third District of Texas home. All 
faithfully answered the call of duty and placed service above self for 
the sake of our great nation. Each one leaves a legacy to be 
remembered, for future generations to follow, a legacy of bravery, 
loyalty, dedication, and sacrifice. For their selfless service, bold 
leadership, and undying commitment for their neighbor and nation, the 
following individual has been selected as a recipient of the third 
annual Congressional Veteran Commendation.
  Captain Shep Stahel served in the United States Navy from 1955 to 
1989. After earning a Navy ROTC Scholarship to Tulane University, Mr. 
Stahel's Naval career began during his college years where he served on 
summer midshipman cruises; one in the North Sea with NATO forces and 
the other in Hong Kong. After graduating with a Bachelor's degree in 
Economics, he commissioned as Ensign and served for two years as 
Navigator on the USS Matthews and then as Executive Officer on the USS 
Duval County. During the Cuban Missile Crisis, the USS Duval County 
operated out of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, training soldiers to conduct 
amphibious landings.
  After transitioning from active to reserve duty, he served as 
commanding officer of Surface Warfare Units in both Trenton, New Jersey 
and Buffalo, New York until he moved to Dallas to command a unit at 
Naval Air Station Dallas.
  This year, Mr. Stahel retired from IBM after 50 years of service. 
During his time there, he managed business affairs for IBM 
Corporation's legal department in the South-Southwestern region of the 
U.S. Additionally, for the past twenty plus years, Mr. Stahel has 
served as the founder and chairman of countless city and transportation 
boards for crucial city development of Dallas and Plano.
  Captain Shep Stahel, let me both thank and congratulate you on your 
exceptional service to our country and community both past and present. 
It is my pleasure to award you the 2013 Congressional Veteran 
Commendation for the Third District of Texas.

                          ____________________