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[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1163]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
RECOGNIZING THE SERVICE OF LIEUTENANT COLONEL MARISOL CHALAS
______
HON. BETTY McCOLLUM
of minnesota
in the house of representatives
Tuesday, September 17, 2019
Ms. McCOLLUM. Madam Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to Lieutenant
Colonel Marisol Chalas for her exemplary dedication to duty and service
as an Army Congressional Fellow in my office and Congressional Budget
Liaison for the Assistant Secretary of the Army (Financial Management
and Comptroller). Lieutenant Colonel Chalas is transitioning from her
current assignment to serve as the Legislative Assistant to the Vice
Chief of Staff, Army.
Born in Bani, Dominican Republic, Lieutenant Colonel Chalas moved
with her family to the United States at the age of nine. She began her
military career as an enlisted Soldier in July 1990, and in 2001 she
received her commission as Second Lieutenant in the Aviation branch
from the Georgia Military Institute Officer Candidate School. She
received her Bachelor of Science degree in Marine Engineering from
Massachusetts Maritime Academy, a Master of Business Administration
from Georgia State University and a Master of Legislative Affairs from
George Washington University.
Lieutenant Colonel Chalas has served in a broad range of assignments
during her extensive military career. These include two rotations as
Company Commander, operational experience at multiple echelons with
Army units and Joint Task forces, international duties with Dominican
Republic Canadian Forces, and completion of the Army Congressional
Fellowship program.
In 2017, as an Army Congressional Fellow, I had the privilege of
working with Lieutenant Colonel Chalas in my office for a year and
during her subsequent assignment as a Congressional Budget Liaison for
the U.S. Army. She worked tirelessly as Defense Fellow, assisted my
office on a range of legislative issues, and coordinated with Members
of Congress and their staffs to accurately articulate the Army's budget
positions to the Appropriations Committees. Her professionalism,
diligence, and commitment to the mission are unmatched, and her work
both as a fellow and as a liaison very effectively represented the U.S.
Army and the Department of Defense to the United States Congress.
Throughout her career, Lieutenant Colonel Chalas has positively
impacted soldiers, peers, and superiors. Our country has benefited from
her extraordinary leadership, judgment, and passion for the Army
profession. I join my colleagues today in honoring her dedication to
our Nation and invaluable service to the United States Congress as an
Army Congressional Budget Liaison.
Madam Speaker, it has been a genuine pleasure to have worked with
Lieutenant Colonel Chalas since the first session of the 115th
Congress. It is with great appreciation that I recognize and commend
Marisol for her service to our country and wish her all the best as she
continues her service in the United States Army.
____________________
