[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 160 (2014), Part 9]
[Senate]
[Pages 12323-12324]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




               TRIBUTE TO COLONEL MARIAMNE R. M. OKRZESIK

 Mr. CARDIN. Mr. President, I wish to honor and pay tribute to 
an exceptional leader, Col. Mariamne R. Okrzesik. After a lifetime of 
service to our Nation, Colonel Okrzesik is retiring from the U.S. Air 
Force and her current position as Director of the Office of Legislative 
Affairs, United States Central Command, at MacDill Air Force Base in 
Tampa, FL. On this occasion I believe it is fitting to recognize 
Colonel Okrzesik's extraordinary dedication to duty and selfless 
service to the United States of America.
  Colonel Okrzesik has served at all levels in the Air Force. Her 
career began when she received her commission in 1986 through the 
Reserve Officer Training Corps program at the University of Maryland. 
Colonel Okrzesik's distinguished military service has taken her all 
over the world in defense of our Nation. Her career has included 
assignments and duties across a wide variety of command, intelligence, 
and staff positions throughout Europe, the Pacific, and the United 
States. Colonel Okrzesik has served as an intelligence flight 
commander; director of operations; executive officer; Major Command; 
Headquarters Air Force and Secretary of the Air Force staff officer; 
squadron commander; and Joint Combatant Command staff officer. Colonel 
Okrzesik has received numerous awards during her career, including the 
Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force Meritorious Service Medal 
with six oak leaf clusters, the Joint Commendation Medal, and Air Force 
Commendation Medal.

[[Page 12324]]

  It is a pleasure to recognize Colonel Okrzesik's long and decorated 
career today and also the great benefit to the Nation she has provided 
as a senior leader for the U.S. Air Force and Department of Defense. 
Colonel Okrzesik has always achieved excellence during her career. On 
behalf of a grateful nation, I join my colleagues today in recognizing 
and commending Colonel Okrzesik for a lifetime of service to her 
country. For all she has given and continues to give to our country we 
are in her debt. As Colonel Okrzesik retires to Lothian, MD, we express 
our gratitude for her faithful and dedicated service and wish her our 
sincerest best wishes upon her retirement.

                          ____________________