[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 160 (2014), Part 3]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 4576]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING THE JUDGE ADVOCATE GENERAL OF THE UNITED STATES AIR FORCE, 
                 LIEUTENANT GENERAL RICHARD C. HARDING

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MICHAEL R. TURNER

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, March 14, 2014

  Mr. TURNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Lieutenant 
General Richard C. Harding, who is retiring after thirty-four years of 
accomplished and distinguished military service. Throughout his career 
as a senior officer, General Harding has provided invaluable testimony 
and advice to this body and in particular to the Armed Services 
Committee. Specifically, General Harding has provided his expert 
military advice on a wide range of defense and national security issues 
and especially on the workings of the military justice system in 
relation to the sexual assault crisis in which the military finds 
itself. I think I speak for all of my colleagues on the Armed Services 
Committee when I say that his depth of knowledge, outstanding 
leadership and professionalism, and deep respect and consideration for 
all of our men and women in uniform will be greatly missed.
  The son of an Air Force officer and grandson of a Naval officer, 
General Harding entered the Air Force with a direct commission in 1980 
after receiving his Bachelor of Science degree and Juris Doctor degree 
from the University of Arkansas. Over the course of his career, General 
Harding served six tours as a staff judge advocate at the unified 
command, major command, numbered air force and wing levels. He also 
served in a variety of staff positions at Headquarters Air Force and as 
the Deputy Chief Counsel for U.S. Transportation Command. Before 
serving as The Judge Advocate General (TJAG) General Harding was the 
Commander of the Air Force Legal Operations Agency.
  During his tenure as TJAG, General Harding led the Air Force Judge 
Advocate General's Corps during one of the most turbulent periods in 
military law and most challenging budget crises in history. He 
innovatively orchestrated the creation and implementation of the 
Federal Government's first-ever Special Victims' Counsel Program, 
ensuring legal representation for victims of sexual assault. This 
Program was subsequently adopted by the Secretary of Defense and 
implemented across the Department of Defense.
  Additionally, General Harding's focused processing initiatives 
revitalized the military justice system by drastically reducing court-
martial processing times. He also resurrected the publication of the 
Air Force's standards of professional conduct by leading the drafting, 
coordinating, and publishing of the first-ever, Air Force Instruction 
1-1, Air Force Standards, and he keenly consolidated the Judge Advocate 
and Inspector General inspection processes by creating a single two-
tiered evaluation system to standardize and improve the delivery of 
legal services. Finally, General Harding astutely guided the Air Force 
through one of the most challenging budget crises in history by 
providing sage legal support for multiple manpower and personnel 
reductions, headquarters reorganizations, and field operating agency 
consolidations.
  Through my role as Member of the Armed Services Committee I have had 
the pleasure of working directly with General Harding during this time. 
He has faithfully executed his oath of office and constitutional duties 
as the top uniformed military lawyer for the United States Air Force 
and provided this committee and congress with honest, direct, and sound 
advice. He will leave a lasting legacy on our Armed Forces.
  For thirty-four years General Harding has performed his job 
professionally, honestly, and with great dedication. We will miss his 
leadership and vision, and wish him all the best as he retires from 
active duty service to our nation.

                          ____________________