[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 163 (2017), Part 8]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 11647]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                 HONORING MAJOR GENERAL WILLIAM E. RAPP

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. LOU BARLETTA

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 25, 2017

  Mr. BARLETTA. Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to congratulate Major 
General William E. Rapp on his retirement from the U.S. Army and on his 
receipt of the Distinguished Service Medal for his 33 years of 
steadfast service. This exceptional achievement is proof of Major 
General Rapp's commitment to ensuring our nation's safety and his 
dedication to educating its military leaders.
  Over the course of Major General Rapp's notable career, he has been 
sent on multiple command tours and combat deployments. He has also 
taken on numerous assignments in critical and joint operations, 
displaying a wide range of skill and expertise. From 2008 to 2009, he 
was appointed as the Commander of the Northwestern Division of the Army 
Corps of Engineers, taking on responsibility for a 5,000-person 
organization and overseeing vital projects. From there, Major General 
Rapp moved into the role of 72nd Commandant at the U.S. Military 
Academy, West Point, where he diligently supervised the leadership 
development and military training of 4,400 members of the U.S. Corps of 
Cadets.
  From 2011 to 2012, Major General Rapp courageously served overseas as 
the Commanding General of the U.S. National Support Element Command in 
Afghanistan, providing logistical and administrative support to over 
190,000 individuals. He continued his service during his next 
assignment as U.S. Army Chief of Legislative Liaison. In that role, he 
developed, coordinated, and executed the Army's strategic communication 
effort with Congress, fostering and strengthening ties between the two 
bodies.
  Major General Rapp's dedication to serving his country proved 
motivational to others, and in June of 2014, he was named the 50th 
Commandant of the U.S. Army War College and the Commanding General of 
the Carlisle Barracks. He worked tirelessly to inspire professionalism 
in students and to instill in them a high level of strategic leadership 
and reflective thinking. He has become a role model for not only War 
College faculty and students, but also his own children, who have all 
pursued military educations and careers. Major General Rapp's career 
exemplifies the highest levels of service to the nation and reflects 
great credit upon himself and the United States Army.
  Mr. Speaker, please join me in recognizing Major General Rapp for all 
he has sacrificed to serve our country and for all that he has 
contributed to the Armed Services community. I wish him the very best 
in his retirement and in all his future endeavors.

                          ____________________