[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 8] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page 10974] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]TRIBUTE TO CONGRESSMAN JOHN SHIMKUS ON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT FROM THE ARMY RESERVE ______ HON. STEVE BUYER of indiana in the house of representatives Thursday, May 22, 2008 Mr. BUYER. Madam Speaker, today I rise to pay tribute to a distinguished and dedicated military officer who has served this Nation with great honor and distinction. Congressman John Shimkus will retire as a lieutenant colonel from the United States Army Reserve on June 1, 2008, after nearly three decades of exemplary service in the United States Army and the United States Army Reserve. His career is a great example of the ideals that we expect and cherish from our Warrior- Citizens. Thanks to his service to our Nation, we all live a little freer and we are all more secure in our rights and duties as citizens of the greatest nation in the world. Today, I'm proud to take a few minutes to read a resolution I introduced to this Congress today to honor the outstanding career of Lieutenant Colonel John Shimkus. A Resolution in the House of Representatives Honoring the Service and Accomplishments of Lieutenant Colonel John M. Shimkus, United States Army Reserve Whereas Lieutenant Colonel John M. Shimkus, United States Army Reserve, was born on February 21, 1958, in East St. Louis, Illinois; Whereas Lieutenant Colonel Shimkus graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York, in 1980 with a bachelor's degree in general engineering; Whereas Lieutenant Colonel Shimkus graduated from Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville, Illinois, in 1997, with a master of business administration; Whereas Lieutenant Colonel Shimkus is a graduate of the Infantry Officer Basic Course, Infantry Mortar Platoon Officers Course, Jungle Warfare School, Airborne School, Ranger School, Infantry Officer Advanced Course, and the Master Fitness Trainer Course; Whereas Lieutenant Colonel Shimkus is a graduate of the Reserve Component Combined Armed Services Staff School; Whereas Lieutenant Colonel Shimkus attended the Reserve Component Command and General Staff College; Whereas following Lieutenant Colonel Shimkus's entry into the Army, he served at the tip of the spear of the cold war as an infantry officer with the 1st Platoon, 54th Infantry in Bamberg, Germany, where he was our Nation's sentry, ready to fight at a moment's notice against Soviet tanks rolling toward the Fulda Gap; Whereas Lieutenant Colonel Shimkus continued his commitment to selfless duty when after serving more than five years on active duty in the Army, he transitioned to the Army Reserve; Whereas Lieutenant Colonel Shimkus served in many leadership positions in the Army Reserve, which included 7 years as a United States Military Academy Liaison Officer, where he helped our Nation select the best candidates to become future leaders of the Army; Whereas Lieutenant Colonel Shimkus was elected to public office for the first time in 1989 as a township trustee in Collinsville, Illinois; Whereas Lieutenant Colonel Shimkus was elected to serve his first term as a Representative from the 20th District of Illinois in 1996 in the 105th Congress, and has continued to dutifully dedicate his service as a statesman in the 106th, 107th, 108th, 109th, and, presently, the 110th Congresses; Whereas over a multifaceted career of distinguished public service dedicated to the preservation of the principles upon which our Nation was founded, from his plebe days at West Point to the halls of Congress, in his every step Lieutenant Colonel Shimkus has embodied the epitome of excellence in statesmanship, service to country, and to his fellow citizens; Whereas Lieutenant Colonel Shimkus's commitment to public service commands the Nation's highest respect and gratitude; Whereas Lieutenant Colonel Shimkus embodies all seven Army core values: loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity, and personal courage; and Whereas Lieutenant Colonel Shimkus has had a tremendous positive impact on the Army Reserve: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, that the House of Representatives (1) honors Lieutenant Colonel John M. Shimkus for his service of over 28 years on the occasion of his retirement from the Army Reserve on June 1, 2008; (2) commends Lieutenant Colonel Shimkus for his dedication and commitment to excellence as an infantry officer and leader; (3) recognizes the tremendous dedication and fortitude with which Lieutenant Colonel Shimkus has led an exemplary career in public service, three times the citizen, having balanced his time in the Army Reserve with the demanding duties of his roles as husband, father, businessman, community leader, high school teacher, citizen-soldier, and Congressman with consummate professionalism and boundless devotion to each; (4) recognizes Lieutenant Colonel Shimkus as a soldier, leader, and statesman, for displaying the highest levels of leadership, professional competence, integrity, and moral courage throughout his distinguished military service. Madam Speaker, it is an honor for me to present the distinguished credentials of Lieutenant Colonel John Shimkus before the Congress today. It is our good fortune that Congressman John Shimkus continues to serve our Nation in the United States House of Representatives. ____________________