Congratulating Major Christopher Matthai

Floor Speech

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mrs. RADEWAGEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to thank Major Christopher Matthai for his dedicated service to the American Samoa and all the Pacific Islands as a U.S. Army Liaison in the Office of the Chief, Legislative Liaison.

In American Samoa, our men and women of the Armed Forces are very important to us. The people of our islands take great pride in being patriotic Americans and our people are known for a high rate of service in our military. In particular, our U.S. Army recruiting center ranks number one in the nation in enlistment rate.

To that end I would like to recognize all the work MAJ Matthai has done to serve our country throughout his career, so far. He enlisted in 1999 and was deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. In 2009 he earned a direct commission through the Army Reserve.

He has an extensive list of military awards and decorations including the Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Commendation Medal, the Army Commendation Medal with 5 oak leaf clusters. He was awarded the Mark and Debbie Kennedy Frontiers of Freedom award and the Dean of the Business School Merit award. He is a graduate from the University of Baltimore, receiving a Master of Business Administration from there and receiving another Master's in Legislative Affairs from George Washington University.

In congratulating this outstanding officer today, we also express our deep appreciation to all who serve, including the many in uniform from American Samoa serving with distinction all over the world.

I thank Christopher for his outstanding leadership and his commitment to our Soldiers, American Samoa, and our great Nation. Best wishes to him and his family as they depart Washington, D.C., for Indiana and his next duty assignment. I thank him for his service and his time dedicated to our beautiful island.

God bless you on your journey (Fa'amanuia le Atua i ou ala. Soifua.)

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source