Paul Cook

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the contributions of U.S. Army Colonel Seth Krummrich, who will relinquish command of the Fort Irwin Garrison on June 27, 2019. Colonel Krummrich is leaving for his next duty assignment as the Chief of Staff, Special Operations Command Central (SOCCENT) at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida.

Since Colonel Krummrich assumed command of the Fort Irwin Garrison, I have been impressed by his hard work on behalf of the Army. During his command, Colonel Krummrich oversaw the completion of Weed Army Community Hospital, a $211 million improvement designed to bring medical facilities at the garrison into the 21st century. In addition to the successful completion of the hospital, Colonel Krummrich has worked closely with my staff and I on several proposed projects to further improve Fort Irwin and better support the Army's critical training mission. While these projects were not completed during his tenure, his hard work has laid the foundation for their future success.

In addition to thanking Colonel Krummrich for his service at Fort Irwin, I would also like to recognize his outstanding military career. Colonel Krummrich is a combat veteran with numerous deployments to both Iraq and Afghanistan, including participating in the initial invasion of Afghanistan in 2001 as a member of the 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne). His service on the battlefield is complimented by his impressive educational background, where he was most recently a senior Military Fellow at Stanford University. While I wish him the best at SOCCENT, I will miss the passion, energy, and determination that he brought to the Fort Irwin Garrison

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the retirement of Superintendent Thomas E. Hoegerman, who will retire from Apple Valley Unified School District on May 22, 2019.

Thomas E. Hoegerman was born September 15, 1959 in Lodi, CA. He attended California State University Sacramento where he earned a B.A. in liberal studies, which he later followed with a teaching credential from the University of the Pacific and a master's degree from Chapman University. He joined the Apple Valley Unified School District in 1989, where he taught at Yucca Loma Elementary School and later at Vista Campana Middle School. In 1996, Tom joined the District Office, where he has worked to improve education outcomes across the district.

During his time at the District Office, Tom oversaw the construction of both Granite Hills High School and Sitting Bull Academy. He also implemented class-size reduction, assessment systems, and data analysis programs across the district. His leadership during the restructuring that followed the Great Recession was instrumental in ensuring student success while keeping the district financially stable. Tom has also served in several educational organizations, including the San Bernardino County District Advocates for Better Students, California Association of Health and Education Linked Professions, and San Bernardino Gangs and Drugs Task Force Executive Committee.

Superintendent Thomas Hoegerman has been an incredible asset to the education community in Apple Valley, and he will be sorely missed in retirement. I wish him and his wife Lisa a happy retirement and a happy 30th anniversary this July.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the retirement Chief Warrant Officer James R. Curry, who will be retiring after 30 years of active duty in the United States Navy.

Chief Warrant Officer Curry joined the Navy on August 28, 1989 as an Airman Recruit and completed Basic Recruit Training at Great Lakes, Illinois. His first assignment for as Naval Air Station North Island, where he served as a Plane Captain for Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Ten. Over the course of his career, Chief Warrant Officer Curry has served in support of numerous operations, including North Korean Contingency Operations, Operation Desert Strike, Operation Southern Watch, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Following multiple deployments afloat with Helicopter Anti- Submarine Squadron Four and Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Six, Chief Warrant Officer Curry reported to NAVSUPPFAC at Paxtuent River, Maryland, where he served as Command Duty Officer. His most rewarding and satisfying tour, however, was with Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 23, the ``Wildcards'', where he served as Avionics Division Officer and Armament Division Officer.

Chief Warrant Officer Curry has honorably served our nation for the last three decades, and it's thanks to people like him that our country remains free and secure. I congratulate him on an exemplary career, and wish him a happy retirement with his wife Tracy and his five children.