CONGRESSIONAL RECORD— Extensions Of
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June 5, 2003 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E1155 CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT After completing his education at the U.S. lationship with the company that is better than AUTHORIZING CONGRESS TO Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, CO, it has ever been. Mel is a true leader in his PROHIBIT PHYSICAL DESECRA- and receiving a degree in engineering Tim community and a role model for the future TION OF THE FLAG OF THE completed his undergraduate pilot training in leaders of the MDA. UNITED STATES 1976 and in 1977 he became a First Lieuten- Mr. Speaker, I encourage the Members of ant. Tim served as a C–141 pilot for the 53rd the House of Representatives to join me in SPEECH OF Military Airlift Squadron out of Norton Air honoring Melvin Olsson for his 13 years of HON. JEFF MILLER Force Base in California from 1976 to 1982 service as head of the MDA. I wish him all the OF FLORIDA during which time he was promoted to Cap- best. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES tain. In 1984, he was assigned as the chief Tuesday, June 3, 2003 pilot for the 728th Military Airlift Squadron. f Three years later he was promoted to Major Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, House and was assigned as the chief of wing stand- PAYING TRIBUTE TO POLICE Joint Resolution 4 does not outlaw flag dese- ardization/evaluation for the 445th Airlift Wing CHIEF LONNIE WESTPHAL cration; rather, this proposal merely sets the at Norton and would later become assistant boundaries by which Congress can enact sub- deputy commander for operations. Over the sequent legislation, if it so chooses, to prohibit next 13 years he would be promoted to Lieu- HON. SCOTT McINNIS such conduct. H.J. Res. 4 simply returns to tenant Colonel and then Colonel. Since 2002 OF COLORADO Congress the authority that it possessed for he has been the Commander of the 452nd Air IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES over 200 years to prohibit the physical dese- Mobility Wing at March Air Reserve Base. Col. Thursday, June 5, 2003 cration of the flag of the United States. Wrighton has logged over 7,800 flight hours in This past week, I visited North Korea, where a variety of aircraft including the C–141 A/B, freedom is nowhere and democratic thought is Mr. McINNIS. Mr. Speaker, it gives me great KC–10, and KC–135R. oppressed. Our American flag is the most re- pleasure to stand before this body of Con- Col. Wrighton has received numerous gress today to pay tribute to an individual who vered and beloved symbol of our Nation, rep- awards throughout his distinguished career in- resenting all that is American and reminding has dedicated his life to protecting the Amer- cluding: Legion of Merit; Meritorious Service ican public. Lonnie Westphal of Lakespur, Col- the world of our love of our freedom and de- Medal with three oak leaf clusters; Air Medal; mocracy. The flag is a bedrock of our prin- orado first donned the badge of a Colorado Aerial Achievement Medal; Air Force Com- State Patrolman 29 years ago. This week he ciples and values as a country, leading our mendation Medal; Air Force Achievement men and women into conflicts around the will retire from the force after an impressive Medal; Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with career in which he rose in the ranks from a globe and draping the caskets of those same oak leaf clusters; National Defense Service individuals when they return home after giving state trooper to the head of the Colorado Medal; Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal; State Patrol. the ultimate sacrifice in defense of such val- Southwest Asia Service Medal with two oak ues. It is the flag to which we pledge alle- Chief Westphal is one of those special peo- leaf clusters; Armed Forces Reserve Medal; ple in our society who willingly put themselves giance, here on the floor of the House of Rep- Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon; Air resentatives, in civic organizations in every in harm’s way to protect the public. He knew Force Training Ribbon; and the Kuwait Libera- he would never get rich in his chosen profes- town in America, and in schools throughout tion Medal from the Saudi Arabian Govern- our country. It is this object and all that it rep- sion, but he also knew that some things, such ment. as keeping our families out of harm’s way, resents that Americans hold so dear. Col. Wrighton is also a life member and House Joint Resolution 4 will nullify two er- come with rewards not measured by monetary Chapter President of the Reserve Officers’ As- means. Thus, it is not surprising that Chief roneous Supreme Court decisions, restoring sociation, a Life Member of the Airlift/Tanker the original interpretation to the First Amend- Westphal distinguished himself so honorably Association, Life Member of the AFA, a Life by serving on numerous boards such as the ment that had persisted for over two centuries Member of the VFW and a Member of since the birth of our country. When consid- National Commission Against Drunk Driving, Daedalians. the International Association of Chiefs of Po- ering the powers of our respective branches of Col. Wrighton’s tireless commitment to serv- lice, the State Patrol Protective Association, government in effecting the will of the Amer- ice has contributed immensely to the better- and many more. ican people, we should be reminded of the ment of the country and the community of Riv- words of Abraham Lincoln in his first inaugural erside, CA. I am proud to call him a fellow Mr. Speaker, our nation owes a great debt address in 1861, ‘‘If the policy of the govern- community member, American and friend. I to Chief Westphal and all brave heroes like ment upon vital questions affecting the whole know that many community members are him who keep the peace at home. Because of people is to be irrevocably fixed by decisions grateful for his patriotic service and salute him. his service, the state of Colorado is a better of the Supreme Court, the people will have f and safer place to live. I thank Chief Westphal ceased to be their own rulers.’’ for his service to his community, the State of I commend my colleagues for recognizing HONORING MELVIN E. OLSSON Colorado, and this nation. All the best to you, the wishes of the American people and restor- Lonnie; enjoy your retirement! ing the original interpretation and under- HON. ROB SIMMONS standing of the First Amendment and the Bill OF CONNECTICUT f of Rights to the Constitution by supporting this IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES resolution. Thursday, June 5, 2003 TRIBUTE TO MR. AND MRS. DONALD WALLACE OF FLORENCE f Mr. SIMMONS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to COLONEL TIMOTHY WRIGHTON honor Mr. Melvin E. Olsson of Mystic, CT, for his dedicated service to the community HON. ROBERT E. (BUD) CRAMER, JR. HON. KEN CALVERT throughout his 43-year career at Electric Boat OF ALABAMA in Groton, CT. OF CALIFORNIA IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Yesterday, for the first time in 13 years, Mel Olsson’s name did not appear on the ballot for Thursday, June 5, 2003 Thursday, June 5, 2003 the Marine Draftsmen’s Association, MDA, Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to union elections at Electric Boat. Olsson is re- Mr. CRAMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and pay tribute to an individual and pa- tiring from his post as president of the local recognize Mr. and Mrs. Donald Wallace of triot whose dedication and contributions to his 571 at Electric Boat and will return to his trade Florence, AL. For 23 years, they have pro- country and the military community of March as piping designer. vided outstanding service to the American Le- Air Reserve Base, March ARB, in Riverside, Mel began as an apprentice in the shipyard gion—Mr. Wallace as adjutant and Mrs. Wal- CA, are exceptional. March ARB has been for- in 1962 and moved to the design force just 2 lace as his assistant. tunate to have dynamic and dedicated leaders years later. Elected vice president of the local Mr. Wallace began serving the American who willingly and unselfishly give their time in 1975, Olsson has dedicated much of his ca- Legion as an assistant to the former adjutant and talent and make their communities a bet- reer to serving the MDA. and will be retiring later this month. As adju- ter place to live and work. Colonel Timothy I commend Mel Olsson for his dedicated tant, Mr. Wallace was charged with maintain- Wrighton is one of these individuals. On June service to the working men and women of ing both the records and activities of the group 6, 2003, he will be honored at a farewell cele- Electric Boat who design the best submarines of over 1,000; however, he did not limit him- bration and dinner. in the world. He has worked to establish a re- self to those tasks. Mr. Wallace helped rebuild VerDate Jan 31 2003 05:54 Jun 06, 2003 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00021 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A05JN8.013 E05PT1 E1156 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks June 5, 2003 the American Legion’s reputation as both a without the additional workload anticipated HONORING COLE REVIS veteran’s advocacy and community service or- from the integration with Lakeside scheduled ganization. Under Wallace’s leadership, the for early August. VA Chicago is working to ac- HON. SCOTT McINNIS post received state and national attention as a commodate its inpatients in a facility that has OF COLORADO leader in supporting the Boys State Program, inadequate intensive care units, inpatient IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES a program which teaches lessons of patriotism units, and surgical suites.