Honoring Seareant Major Alford McMichael

HONORING SERGEANT MAJOR ALFORD McMICHAEL -- (House of Representatives - July 07, 2004)

(Mr. BOOZMAN asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 [Page: H5201] minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Sergeant Major Alford McMichael who will be inducted in the Arkansas Walk of Fame in his hometown of Hot Springs this Friday.

Alford McMichael became the first African American sergeant major of the United States Marine Corps on July 1, 1999. He left that post last year to become the senior enlisted adviser to NATO, the first person to fill this newly created position.

During his 30-plus years in the Marine Corps, Sergeant Major McMichael has earned numerous personal decorations including the Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit, and the Meritorious Service Medal with gold star.

Mr. Speaker, I had the privilege of meeting Sergeant Major McMichael during a NATO parliamentary assembly trip and can attest to how very worthy he is of this tribute. It is my hope that by being honored on the Arkansas Walk of Fame, future generations will learn the inspirational story of Alford McMichael.