[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 160 (2014), Part 9]
[Senate]
[Page 12326]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                  CONGRATULATING COLONEL JAMES WALKER

 Mr. HELLER. Mr. President, I wish to congratulate COL James 
Walker of Las Vegas, Nevada on his upcoming retirement from the Nevada 
Army National Guard. I am proud to honor a Nevadan who has dedicated 
his life to serving our country.
  Born and raised in Las Vegas, NV, Colonel Walker's desire to serve 
came when he was studying psychology in college. On scholarship for 
soccer at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, he decided he wanted to 
enlist and become a combat medic. Upon joining the Army in 1979, 
Colonel Walker rose through the ranks and eventually became the highest 
ranking African-American Army National Guard officer in Nevada history. 
Colonel Walker's career from private to colonel over the course of 35 
years is both commendable and admirable.
  Throughout his career, Colonel Walker continued to pursue all of the 
educational training that the Army National Guard had to offer. With 
the support of his wife Doris, Colonel Walker decided to pursue three 
NCO professional development schools, earning him the prestigious NCO 
Ribbon. Colonel Walker also participated in an Officer Candidate School 
at Clear Creek near Carson City and was a pioneering student in the 
Nevada primary leadership development course, graduating at the top of 
his class with honors. After his success there, he served as a training 
officer for the next graduating class. His ability to give back to the 
National Guard and his community was also exemplified during his 3 
years of teaching ROTC at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Upon his 
retirement from the National Guard, Colonel Walker plans to continue 
working for National Security Technologies as the company's facility 
manager at Nellis Air Force Base in Las Vegas.
  I extend my deepest gratitude to Colonel Walker for his courageous 
contributions to the United States of America and to freedom-loving 
nations around the world. His service to his country and his bravery 
and dedication earn him a place among the outstanding men and women who 
have valiantly defended our Nation. As a member of the Senate Veterans' 
Affairs Committee, I recognize that Congress has a responsibility not 
only to honor these brave individuals who serve our Nation but also to 
ensure they are cared for when they return home. I remain committed to 
upholding this promise for our veterans and servicemembers in Nevada 
and throughout the Nation.
  Throughout his tenure, Colonel Walker has demonstrated 
professionalism, commitment to excellence, and dedication to the 
highest standards of the Army National Guard. I am both humbled and 
honored by his service and am proud to call him a fellow Nevadan. I ask 
my colleagues to join me in recognizing COL James Walker for all of his 
accomplishments and wish him well in all of his future 
endeavors.

                          ____________________