Gwen Graham

Ms. GRAHAM

Ms. GRAHAM. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize Major Fred Broussard upon the occasion of his retirement after 29 years of honorable service to our great Nation in the United States Air Force and Air Force Reserve. Major Broussard began his career in 1986, upon graduation of Basic Personnel School, as a Distinguished Graduate. He was then assigned to Hurlburt Field, where in 1990, as a recognized expert in the Personnel career field, he was selected to facilitate the stand-up of the Headquarters Squadron Section for Headquarters Air Force Special Operations Command (HQ AFSOC) and was nominated and selected as the Military Personnel Technician of the Year for 1990 and 1991; and deployed as the sole SOF representative of the Personnel Support for Contingency Operations team during OPERATION DESERT STORM. He was selected as a member of the USAF ``Thunderbird'' Team in 1993, where he served as the Assignments NCO until his separation from active duty in 1995. After leaving active duty, he immediately entered the Air Force Reserve where he served as a Traditional Reservist and Individual Mobilization Augmentee (IMA) in a variety of assignments. After nearly 15-years in the enlisted ranks, he earned his commission as an officer in April 2001. He was brought to Washington D.C. at the U.S. Air Force Headquarters, Pentagon in 2006 where he has served in three directorates filling numerous positions. Throughout his myriad of assignments in the Pentagon, Major Broussard's ceaseless efforts and devotion to duty resulted in several accomplishments to include; successful articulation of the Air Force Reserve in the crafting of the Department of Defense policy on Active Duty for Operational Support and the Department of the Air Force policy for the Post Deployment-Mobilization Respite Absence; crafting the first ever game plan for the creation of the Air Force Reserve General Officer Vacancy Promotion Board, leading the nomination process, whereby shortening the timeline from nomination to Senate confirmation; building the foundation and ensuring the implementation of consolidated Full-Time support guidance; crafting revised promotion processes encompassing all three components of the Air Force in keeping with the implementation of the Under Secretary of the Air Force for Manpower and Reserve Affairs initiative to consolidate personnel programs; pioneering the institutionalizing statute-required process for release of promotion results, which were adopted by the Chief of Air Force Reserve, Chief of the Air National Guard and the General Counsel for the Secretary of the Air Force. Major Broussard's final role began in July 2012, as the AFR Program Manager for Legislative proposals, Office of Reserve Policy Integration, in direct support of the Chief of Air Force Reserve. In this position, Major Broussard played an integral role in proactively engaging Congress as he developed and defended legislation required to enact needed policy changes. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the United States Congress and a grateful Nation, I extend our deepest appreciation of Major Joseph Fred Broussard for his many years of dedicated service. There is no question that the Air Force, Department of Defense, and the United States benefitted greatly from Major Broussard's visionary leadership, planning, and foresight, and we wish him and his wife, Elaine the very best.

Ms. GRAHAM

Ms. GRAHAM. Mr. Speaker, today, I'd like to recognize Operation Thank You, an annual event honoring veterans and active-duty service members in Leon County. As we mark the 65th anniversary of our nation's entry in the Korean War, the 2015 Operation Thank You will honor Korean War veterans and their families at the Florida Korean War Memorial in Tallahassee on Saturday, May 16th. The event will include a presentation of colors by the Godby High School JROTC Color Guard, a performance of the national anthem by the Lawton Chiles High School Choir, and remarks by Korean War veterans-- along with a pancake breakfast. Leon County has a long tradition of supporting local veterans and making sure they receive the care they deserve. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the United States Congress, I extend our deepest appreciation to all of those working to make this year's Operation Thank You a success.

Ms. GRAHAM

Ms. GRAHAM. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize 2015 as the Year of the Military Diver, to honor the hard work and sacrifice of divers from all of our Nation's service branches. Within north Florida's Second Congressional District is Naval Support Activity Panama City, the home of military diving in the United States. Today, led by Commanding Officer Hung Cao, the Naval Diving and Salvage Training Center at NSA PC is training the world's most advanced divers. I have seen firsthand how hard the men and women of our Armed Forces train at the diving center to keep our Nation safe, and today I would like to thank them for their service and officially recognize 2015 as the Year of the Military Diver.

Ms. GRAHAM

Ms. GRAHAM. Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to recognize Warrior Beach Retreat, a north Florida charity dedicated to supporting our combat wounded warriors, their families, and caregivers. The organization was established by Linda Cope after her son, Sergeant Joshua Cope, was severely injured by an IED blast in Baghdad, Iraq, on November 12, 2006. The Cope family turned tragedy into triumph, and twice a year, Warrior Beach Retreat welcomes 50 wounded warriors and their caregivers to Panama City with a parade and a weeklong retreat dedicated to honoring their service and sacrifice. I wish I could be with them today in Panama City to welcome these brave wounded warriors, but unable to do that, I would like to officially recognize Warrior Beach Retreat in the Record and thank them on behalf of our north Florida community for all the hard work they do for our veterans.

Ms. GRAHAM

Ms. GRAHAM. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to bring attention to rural hospitals and the important service they provide to communities across north Florida. Last week I had the honor of touring Doctors Memorial Hospital in Bonifay, Florida. I was so inspired by the hard work of the doctors, nurses, administrators, and volunteers who treat patients who otherwise would have to drive hours for care. Mr. Speaker, these hospitals are providing outstanding care but face unique new challenges from government regulation. In Congress, we need to make sure rural hospitals are not overburdened by regulation that can cause more harm than good at smaller facilities. Rural hospitals are vital to north Florida, and I am ready to work with Democrats and Republicans to make sure that we protect them.

Ms. GRAHAM

Ms. GRAHAM. Mr. Speaker, to celebrate Black History Month, I rise to recognize Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, one of the oldest and most prestigious Historically Black Colleges in the United States. The Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, or ``FAMU,'' as it is more affectionately known in north Florida, was founded in 1887 with just 15 students and two instructors. Today, the university has grown to enroll nearly 10,000 students, and it was named by the U.S. News & World Report as the top public Historically Black College or university in the Nation for 2015. I am proud to represent FAMU in the Second Congressional District of Florida. Their mission and the public service they provide is a benefit to north Florida, to our State, and to our Nation.

Ms. GRAHAM

Ms. GRAHAM. Madam Speaker, today I rise to remember and honor Leon County Sheriff Larry Campbell, who after 50 years of public service lost a long-fought battle with cancer on December 24, 2014. Sheriff Campbell first joined the Sheriff's Office during his senior year at Florida State University after serving in the Marine Corps. He was elected sheriff in 1996, a position of trust he would hold until his passing. Sheriff Campbell was respected by law enforcement across our State for his leadership. He was also well known for being an avid supporter of charitable causes, including the United Way and American Heart Association. Sheriff Campbell is survived by his wife, Michelle; his son, Jack; and two daughters, Jeannette and Stephanie. Our community will remember Sheriff Campbell as a dedicated public servant. We owe him and his family a great debt of gratitude.

Ms. GRAHAM

Ms. GRAHAM. ``. . . to provide and maintain a navy; ``To make rules for the government and regulation of the land and naval forces; ``To provide for calling forth the militia to execute the laws of the Union, suppress insurrections and repel invasions; . . .''