Honoring Lt. Col. Marc Sukolsky

HONORING LT. COL. MARC SUKOLSKY

Mr. CRAPO. Mr. President, I rise to honor Lt. Col. Marc Sukolsky, a long time Idaho resident, upon his retirement from 24 years of service in the U.S. Air Force. Mark has served his country well, in peacetime and in war. Idaho is proud to be represented by such a dedicated soldier.

Marc Sukolsky received his master's degree in music pedagogy and then taught at Idaho State University. After 4 years of teaching, Marc began his extensive military leadership career in logistics in the Ninth Air Force and 363rd Fighter Wing. Exhibiting strong leadership early in his career, Marc was chosen as a senior logistics and resource inspector to develop future military base locations in Southwest Asia. In this position his inherent abilities as a negotiator and diplomat became well known. As his expertise grew, so did his influence. Mark's advice was solicited by the most senior officials including the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

In 1993, while stationed at the U.S. Embassy in the Netherlands, Marc played an important role in organizing logistical agreements between the U.S. and the Netherlands. This involved organizing troop and equipment movement both within the Netherlands and throughout Europe. As a military representative for the U.S. Secretary of State, Marc was also able to negotiate with foreign officials for permanent troop positions in Europe.

In the mid 1990's, he was called to assist NATO Allied Forces during the crisis in the Balkans. He drafted and implemented strategies for all logistical arrangements between the U.S. and Allied forces. In addition, he provided guidance and training for those nations seeking NATO membership.

His abilities to plan and execute defense, economic, and trade policy were tested and proven, when as a Commander he led the deployment of over 1.5 million pounds of equipment and 3,400 personnel to sensitive areas including the Persian Gulf. He managed to save the government over $19 million with new budgetary and finance programs. Leading the quality assurance of flying wing he recorded over 28,000 sorties and over 49,000 hours of flawless flying. In this position he was the principal advisor to the U.S. Ambassador of U.S. European Command on all armament matters. While serving in this capacity, he negotiated over $135 million in arms sales in 2002. He also contracted an $800 million aircraft development deal with the Netherlands.

In all of this, the role of his wife Ellen should not be understated. During 25 years of marriage, she has made tremendous sacrifices during Marc's time in the military. Together, they have spent 11 years overseas, relocated eleven times, and even spent 2 years apart during two 2-year separations.

I would like to honor Lt. Col. Marc Sukolsky and Ellen Sukolsky for their selfless service and sacrifice for their country. It is especially appropriate during this time of conflict to recognize a couple who have done so much for the freedom and stability of their country and the world. I wish both of them the best as they approach this new chapter of life together.