[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 4]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 5422]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




       REMARKS IN HONOR OF THE SERVICE OF COLONEL DAVID HAMILTON

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. JOSEPH P. KENNEDY III

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 28, 2016

  Mr. KENNEDY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the service of Colonel 
David Hamilton, of the United States Army for his extraordinary 
dedication to duty and service to our nation. Colonel Hamilton was born 
in Kingston, Jamaica and grew up in Holliston, Massachusetts. He began 
his career in the Army in 1984 after receiving a nomination to attend 
West Point from my great-uncle, the late Senator Edward Kennedy. 
Colonel Hamilton was commissioned as a Field Artilleryman upon 
graduation from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 
1988.
  Throughout his military career, his many assignments included serving 
as a Platoon Leader during Operation Desert Shield/Storm and then 
Company Fire Support Officer in the 82nd Airborne Division. As a 
Captain, Colonel Hamilton commanded two batteries and deployed his unit 
to Bosnia in support of Operation Joint Guard. After battery command, 
he served as an Instructor at the School of Artillery in Puckapunyal, 
Australia.
  Upon his return, Colonel Hamilton served in the 2nd of the Army's two 
Stryker brigades while at Fort Lewis before becoming the Mission 
Commander, Defense Threat Reduction Agency, Detachment-San Francisco 
from 2004 to 2006. He then departed for Korea where he commanded a 
Field Artillery Paladin battalion in the Army's 2nd Infantry Division 
before deploying to Iraq to serve as an Analyst and Deputy Director in 
the Multi-National Corps-Iraq Commander's Initiatives Group at Camp 
Victory, Iraq from 2008 to 2009.
  After concluding his deployment in Iraq, Colonel Hamilton was the 
Chief of the Training and Evaluation Division for the Brigade 
Modernization Command at Ft. Bliss, TX, before commanding the 212th 
Fires Brigade in the Army's 1st Armored Division from August 2011 to 
July 2013.
  From July 1st, 2014 to April 29th, 2016 Colonel Hamilton served as 
the Chief of the Army House Liaison Division, fostering a strategic 
partnership with both the 113th and 114th Congress and working 
tirelessly to navigate the complex issues the Army faced during the 
last two legislative cycles.
  With every deployment and every assignment, Colonel Hamilton brought 
unparalleled leadership and unquestioned commitment to the men and 
women serving beside him.
  While he never sought recognition, he has earned numerous military 
awards for his accomplishments, including the Legion of Merit, Bronze 
Star, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, 
the Humanitarian Service Medal, the NATO Medal, the Senior Parachutist 
Badge, the Ranger Tab, and British Jump Wings.
  In light of his achievements, the Army has assigned him to serve next 
as an Assistant Division Commander in the historic 3rd Infantry 
Division at Fort Stewart, GA.
  Mr. Speaker, it is a pleasure to recognize Colonel David Hamilton's 
successful and decorated career as he and his family proceed to their 
next chapter. We are a nation grateful for the military service of the 
men, women, and families who sacrifice in defense of our freedom. I 
wish Colonel Hamilton and his family the best.

                          ____________________