Congratulating Robert J. ``rj'' Duke Short on His 89th Birthday

Floor Speech

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Mr. NORMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Robert J. Duke Short, U.S. Senate Official, on the occasion of his 89th birthday and to wish him a joyous birthday celebration.

Mr. RJ Short was born in Moultrie, Georgia on March 31, 1934. He graduated from North Georgia College in 1956, with a Bachelor of Science degree. Upon graduating from college, he worked as an industrial engineer before going back to school. He then attended Palmer College, in Port Orange, Florida afterward, to become a chiropractor. Mr. Short then joined the U.S. Army where he courageously served his country from 1957 to 1961.

After spending five years in the Army serving our great country, he joined the Department of Treasury for 2 years before becoming a Senior investigator for the Senate subcommittee on Internal Security.

Mr. Short quickly rose through the ranks to become the Republican staff director and Chief investigator for the Senate Committee on the Judiciary, in which he served for 12 years.

In 1989, Mr. Short served 15 years as Chief of Staff to Senator Strom Thurmond, a Republican from South Carolina. He was also a Counselor to the Chief Judge of the United States of America Military Court Appeals.

Duke and his wife, Denise, happily married on May 23, 1992. Mr. Short has risen above many personal challenges and has been a great public servant for his country. He is the epidemy of the American success story. Duke has also been decorated with many awards and achievements for his hard work throughout the years. Mr. Short has been listed as a noteworthy and honorable U.S. Senate official by Marquis Who's Who. He is a recipient of the United Service Organizations Appreciation award, Employees Support of Guard and Reserve Appreciation award, named one of the fifty most Powerful Staffers in Congress by Roll Call, honorary judge of The United States of America Claims Court, and Palmer Academy Chiropractic fellow. In 2002, Governor James Hodge gave Mr. Short the Order of the Palmetto, the state of South Carolina's highest honor. Robert J. Duke Short has set the gold standard for his years of dedicated service and commitment which will long be remembered and for that we all join in saying thank you, and wish him a happy birthday.

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