[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 1]
[Senate]
[Page 276]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                  TRIBUTE TO REAR ADMIRAL JOAN HUNTER

  Mr. DONNELLY. Mr. President, today I wish to recognize the efforts of 
RADM Joan Hunter during her tenure as the Assistant Joint Surgeon at 
the National Guard Bureau, Joint Surgeon General's Office, 
Psychological Health, NGB, JSG-PH.
  In this capacity, RADM Hunter has served as principal staff and 
adviser to the Chief of the National Guard Bureau. As a member of the 
Joint Surgeon's Office, RADM Hunter partnered with the J1, Manpower and 
Personnel Directorate, and the J32, the Counterdrug Division, to direct 
services to address the psychological health needs of Guard members and 
their families. Her most significant contribution was building the 
National Guard's psychological health program, which meant placing a 
director of psychological health in every State, wing, and territory 
based on the Department of Defense's Mental Health Task Force Report 
recommendations. As a commissioned officer in the U.S. Public Health 
Service, RADM Hunter is a shining example of how the whole government 
can come together to address mental health issues in our military.
  I have had the honor and pleasure of working closely with RADM Hunter 
during her time at NGB, and I am grateful for her leadership, energy, 
and innovation. Mental health is a critical readiness issue for all our 
servicemembers, and the Department of Defense has made important 
progress in improving the mental health and resilience of our force. 
Unfortunately, in the past, the unique needs and challenges faced by 
our Guard members and Reservists were often neglected by programs 
designed to serve the Active component. Under RADM Hunter's direction, 
that is changing. She has made a real, tangible impact on the lives of 
Guard members, and in doing so, she has done a tremendous service to 
our Nation and our communities.
  RADM Hunter is a champion in the fight to combat military suicide, 
improve mental health and resiliency among our servicemembers, and 
field the strongest fighting force the world has ever known. She has 
been an especially valued partner in this undertaking, and while she 
will be sorely missed at NGB, I know she will continue to do great 
things for our country. I wish RADM Hunter the best of luck in her new 
assignment and thank her for her dedicated service to our men and women 
in the National Guard.

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