1366 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—SENATE January 25, 1999 should promote business growth, not the destroyer Norman Scott and the bat- will retire on March 1st after more stifle it. We need to level the playing tleship Colorado. than three decades of outstanding serv- field for U.S. shipping companies in the By the war’s end, the Phaon had re- ice to our nation. Norm Lezy is an ex- international marketplace. I look for- paired at least 96 ships and more than traordinary officer whose leadership ward to working with Senator JOHN 2,000 vessels and crafts of all types. She skills, professionalism and service be- BREAUX to develop specific provisions. played a major role in the success of fore self are a tribute to our country’s My colleague and friend shares an in- Service Squadron Ten, of which Rear military. terest in maritime policy, and together Admiral W.R. Carter said: General Lezy is a native of Rhode Is- we serve on both the Commerce and Fi- Had it failed, the war would have lasted land, and was commissioned into the nance Committees. This provides us much longer at much greater cost in blood Air Force in November 1964 through with an ability to shape maritime pol- and dollars. . . . It was a never-ending job, the Reserve Officer Training Corps pro- icy in the regulatory, tax, and trade and the men and officers . . . were as much gram. Throughout his career, General environments. a part of the fleet which defeated Japan as Lezy has earned a well-deserved rep- Mr. President, U.S. shipping compa- were . . . any battleship, carrier, cruiser, or utation as a leader who truly cares destroyer. nies can compete and succeed in the about people. Whether he was com- world’s international trade market- Admiral Raymond A. Spruance, Com- manding his student training squadron, place when competition is fair.∑ mander of the Central Pacific Force, a Minuteman I combat missile launch called the record of the Phaon and crew, an air base squadron, a combat f Service Squadron Ten achievements of support group or working in his many U.S.S. ‘‘PHAON’’ which all Americans can be justly key staff assignments, Norm Lezy ∑ Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, today I proud, but about which most of them made people his priority. ask the Senate to join me in com- have little or no knowledge. In addition to his many tours of duty mending those brave Americans who Mr. President, I hope that these re- around the world, General Lezy has served aboard the U.S.S. Phaon. marks increase our knowledge and re- served as Director of Administration During World War II, the Phaon com- spect for the critical role that damage and Information Management for the piled an outstanding record as a battle repair ships played in the Pacific cam- Secretary of the Air Force; the Deputy damage repair ship. She was part of paigns. I know you will join me and Chief of Staff for Personnel, Head- three major battles and helped the U.S. every American in saluting the brave quarters Pacific Air Force; and the Di- fleet to remain in action throughout crew of the U.S.S. Phaon.∑ rector of Services, Headquarters U.S. Air Force. Many here in the Senate the Central Pacific campaign. f The Phaon was an important part of first came to know Norm when he was mobile Service Squadron Ten, whose THE 1999 MISS USA PAGEANT the Director of Legislative Liaison for battle role was to remain within the ∑ Mr. ASHCROFT. Mr. President, it is the Secretary of the Air Force. With his exceptional knowledge of all as- battle area and conduct repairs—keep- an honor and privilege to rise today to pects of Air Force operations and his ing fighting vessels in action, pre- acknowledge and honor the nearly 400 keen awareness of the legislative proc- venting the loss of damaged vessels by Missouri volunteers of my home state ess, General Lezy dramatically im- making them seaworthy, and returning who have donated countless hours and proved communication between the repaired vessels to action as soon as resources to the 1999 Miss USA pageant United States Congress and the United possible. To accomplish this, the Navy being held in Branson, Missouri, in States Air Force. He was the driving converted tank transports into battle February. force in gaining Congressional support damage repair ships. The volunteer corps is made up of for critical Air Force programs such as The Phaon was one of the original many talented people who have worked the C–17, B–2, and F–22 weapon sys- mobile service squadron vessels that in food services, secretarial and admin- tems, all of which will have a signifi- arrived in the Central Pacific in late istrative positions, provided transpor- cant impact on the future of the United tation, medical and emergency serv- 1943 to test new concepts in naval lo- States Air Force and the security of ices, salon services, and entertainment. gistics and mobile repair. Their work our nation. began under fire at Majuro with res- The ‘‘behind the scenes’’ efforts of In his most recent assignment as the toration of all types of craft from the these volunteers have done much to Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense invasion of Tarawa and repairs to the make this pageant a great success. (Military Personnel Policy), General battleships Washington and Indiana. The people of Branson and the sur- Lezy was directly responsible for the By early 1944, the Phaon’s crew was rounding area have come together with establishment of all policies con- skilled, experienced, and ready to par- their many diverse talents and abilities cerning military personnel matters. ticipate in the campaigns to advance to assure the success of the 1999 Miss Specifically, he focused on accessing across the Pacific. In March, she was USA Pageant. Millions of people and retaining military personnel in all with the fleet at Kwajalein and Eni- around the world will focus their eyes services; pay, compensation and bene- wetok. In June, she joined the invasion on Branson and Missouri on Friday, fits; and the classification, assignment, of Saipan. In July, she was at Tinian. February 5, 1999 when the new Miss and career development for the 1.4 mil- She was subject to more than sixty air USA is crowned. lion service members of the Depart- raids while working. The people of Branson have made a ment of Defense. True to his reputa- Time and again, the Phaon heroically significant contribution to the pag- tion, General Lezy fought for increased entered the fray to repair a damaged eant, and deserve recognition and grat- support for service members and ship. At Saipan, the destroyer Phelps itude for their efforts. These volunteers worked to develop personnel policies was hit while engaged in ground sup- embody the best of the American spir- that will successfully guide our armed port shore bombardment. She called it. Mr. President, I ask that members forces well into the next century. Some the Phaon, and the two ships tied bow of the Senate join me in recognizing of the more significant efforts he un- to stern. While the Phelps continued to and honoring the great work of these dertook include conducting a complete bomb the shore, the Phaon repaired her volunteers.∑ review of the military pay and retire- damage and replenished her ammuni- f ment system, improving recruiting tion. At the same time, the Phaon dis- policies and advertising programs, en- TRIBUTE TO LT. GEN. NORMAND patched several off-ship repair crews to hancing Professional Military Edu- G. LEZY, USAF other vessels and had alongside for re- cation, and streamlining the Depart- pairs a tank landing craft, a mine- ∑ Mr. ALLARD. Mr. President, I rise ment of Defense Disability Evaluation sweeper, and the destroyer U.S.S. today to recognize the contributions of System. Shaw. One month later, at Tinian, the Lieutenant General Normand G. Lezy Throughout his distinguished career, Phaon performed similar feats to repair of the United States Air Force, who General Lezy’s tireless and sincere

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