[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 18] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page 23079] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]TRIBUTE TO LIEUTENANT GENERAL LARRY J. DODGEN ______ HON. ROBERT E. (BUD) CRAMER, JR. of alabama in the house of representatives Wednesday, December 6, 2006 Mr. CRAMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to LTG Larry J. Dodgen, Commanding General of the United States Army Space and Missile Defense Command/United States Army Forces Strategic Command. General Dodgen is also the Commander of the Joint Functional Component Command--Integrated Missile Defense. General Dodgen, a native of New Orleans, Louisiana, began his military career after graduating from Louisiana State University in 1972. Over the last 34 years, he has received numerous decorations and awards for his distinguished duty, including the Defense Distinguished Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Legion of Merit with two Oak Leaf Clusters, the Meritorious Service Medal with Four Oak Leaf Clusters, the Army Commendation Medal, and the Army Achievement Medal. Mr. Speaker, I had the opportunity to work with General Dodgen during his 2-year tenure as the Commanding General of the U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command, which is located at Redstone Arsenal in North Alabama. He served in that capacity from September 2001 through December 2003. During his tenure in North Alabama, General Dodgen worked to ensure that the entire North Alabama defense community was engaged in efforts to meet the future needs of the Army and the warfighter. Our work together continued after General Dodgen assumed the Command at SMDC. I applaud his commitment to the Army, Redstone, and to our Nation. Mr. Speaker, after 34 years of honorable service in the U.S. Army, Lieutenant General Dodgen is retiring from active duty. On November 30, 2006, the North Alabama community held a celebration in his honor. I rise today to join them in their tribute and to thank him for his many years of service. I wish General Dodgen the very best for the future. ____________________