11440 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—SENATE June 20, 2000 Mr. Caparso was born there on Feb- many young men and women in the from all walks of life. These are the ruary 12, 1951, to Antonio and Rosina Navy. During his career, Captain qualities of a soldier who deserves the Fabiilli. He was one of five children; Avveduti received the Legion of Merit, thanks of a grateful nation for a job three sisters remain in Pacentro and the Bronze Star, three Meritorious well done. In addition, he made notable the oldest sister resides in Washington, Service Medals, the Air Medal and var- contributions in his community as a Michigan. ious campaign and service medals. member of various civic organizations After completing high school in Mr. President, Captain Joseph to include the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Pacentro, Mr. Caparso graduated from Avveduti’s service to the U.S. Navy, Management Council, the Alabama Liceo Classico Ocidio in , and in particular his command of the Coastal Resources Advisory Council, . He followed his studies there at U.S.S. Kalamazoo, is to be commended. the Mobile Area Chamber of Com- La Sapienza University in Rome, where The United States will lose a respected merce, the Alabama-Mississippi Sea he received a doctorate degree. Finally, and well accomplished naval officer Grant Consortium Advisory Com- he attended Gabriele d’Annunzio Uni- upon Captain Avveduti’s retirement. I mittee, Goodwill Industries Board of versity in Chieti, where he specialized know my Senate colleagues will join Directors, the American Heart Associa- in sports medicine. Mr. Caparso is pres- me in congratulating Captain Avveduti tion Board of Directors, the Mobile ently caring for three towns in the on his outstanding service.∑ Jaycees, and the Reserve Officers Asso- region: , Gagliano f ciation. Aterno and . Armand has served his country for 28 The sport of soccer has also played a TRIBUTE TO LIEUTENANT COLO- years in the Army but he has also pro- very large role in Mr. Caparso’s life. NEL DAVID ARMAND DEKEYSER vided magnificent services to the Na- While completing his studies, he al- ∑ Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. President. It is tion in a number of other crucial gov- ways played for an amateur team in with great pleasure that I rise today to ernment assignments. the Peligna Valley Region. And, when pay tribute to Lieutenant Colonel I know about these because we are his playing days were behind him, he David A. DeKeyser for his dedicated partners. In the 1980’s, I asked him to became a referee. Mr. Caparso has ref- military service to our country. leave his business career to serve as a ereed women’s major league games LTC DeKeyser retired on June 5, 2000 law enforcement coordinator for the of- throughout Italy, and is currently the from the United States Army Reserve fice of the United States Attorney. As President of the Sulmona Referee Ad- after serving 28 distinguished years as was typical of Armand’s nature he ea- ministration. an officer in the Transportation Corps. gerly looked to expand our work and Mr. Caparso was elected Mayor of I have known him well for many years we decided to initiate a ‘‘Weed and Pacentro in 1999. Having decided that and since I joined the Senate in 1997, he Seed’’ program in an attempt to revi- the city needed a better administra- has served as my Chief of Staff. I came talize the Martin Luther King area of tion, an administration which tended to know LTC DeKeyser personally dur- Mobile. This historic neighborhood had fallen to the needs of all its citizens, he fur- ing the 1970’s and 1980’s when we were victim to decay, crime and drugs. ther decided to do something about it. both assigned to the 1184th Transpor- Working with our other law enforce- Mr. Caparso was elected Mayor along tation Terminal Unit (TTU) in Mobile, ment coordinator, Eric Day, Armand with a list of conservative councilmen. Alabama. For 8 years we trained at gave himself to the project with his Mr. President, I am sure that the monthly drills and annual training. We typical enthusiasm. Mr. President. I Pacentro, Italy, Reunion 2000 will be a have worked with one another since can say that the program was a great wonderful success. I know that a great that time in a series of increasingly important and difficult assignments. success. I once told Armand, when they number of individuals have put their put you in the grave, your work to hearts and souls into this reunion, and LTC DeKeyser was born March 21, 1950 in Mobile, Alabama. He was com- make this neighborhood a much better I applaud their many efforts. On behalf place may be your greatest accom- of the entire United States Senate, I missioned as a Second Lieutenant in 1972 from Auburn University. Through- plishment. welcome Mr. Fernando Caparso, Mayor Later in 1994, I was elected Attorney out his career—with duty assignments of Pacentro, Italy, to the State of General of Alabama and I asked him to in Europe, the United States, the Mid- Michigan.∑ leave his beloved Mobile to come to dle East during Operation Desert f Montgomery to serve as my Adminis- Storm, and most recently with duty at CAPTAIN JOSEPH P. AVVEDUTI trative Officer. the United States Transportation Com- When we took office, we faced a huge ∑ Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, I rise to mand—he consistently distinguished financial problem as a result of terrible honor Captain Joseph P. Avveduti who himself. During times of peace and war, financial management. Armand re- is retiring from the U.S. Navy in July in both command and staff positions, sponded with great effectiveness—clos- after thirty years of outstanding serv- he has achieved excellence. He was ac- ing several off-site offices, disposing of ice to our nation. From September 1995 tivated with the 1184th TTU for duty one-half of the office automobiles, re- to August 1996, Avveduti commanded during the Gulf War and spent 6 ducing staff, and helping us reorganize. the U.S.S. Kalamazoo. This ship is months away from his family in Ku- Personnel was reduced by one-third named after Kalamazoo, Michigan and wait. LTC DeKeyser was decorated and legal work improved the history of its service is of par- with the Joint Service Commendation Then, when I was elected to the U.S. ticular interest to Michigan residents. Medal, and the Southwest Asia Service Senate, I asked him to serve as my Captain Avveduti graduated from the Medal. His other notable military Chief of Staff. Once again, he agreed. United States Naval Academy in 1974. awards include the Legion of Merit, the He has done a magnificent job and Following his graduation he was des- Defense Meritorious Medal, and two there can be no doubt that his military ignated a Naval Aviator and went on to awards of the Meritorious Service service has played a key role in helping command several Helicopter Anti-Sub- Medal. our office achieve the high level of ef- marine Squadrons. Among his many LTC DeKeyser’s professionalism and fectiveness that we currently enjoy. leadership positions, Captain Avveduti leadership as a military officer earned Armand is a soldier’s soldier. He has served as the Executive Officer of him the respect and admiration of his given his best to the Army. It has U.S.S. Independence from January 1993 soldiers, fellow officers, and members caused him to be away from home and to June 1995. In 1997, Captain Avveduti of the U.S. Congress. No officer was family and called for personal sacrifice. graduated from the National War Col- better liked or respected—from the But, for 28 years, he has answered the lege in Washington, D.C. He currently newest private to the commanding offi- call and served with great distinction. holds the Chief of Naval Operations cer—than LTC DeKeyser. He is known I salute Armand for his faithfulness Chair at that institution where he for his integrity, compassion, humor, to the nation, and wish him, his won- serves as a great role model for the and ability to inspire men and women derful wife Beverly, and sons David and

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