In Recognition of Gen. Peter Pace, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

IN RECOGNITION OF GEN. PETER PACE, CHAIRMAN OF THE JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF -- (Extensions of Remarks - May 19, 2005)

SPEECH OF HON. STEVEN R. ROTHMAN OF NEW JERSEY
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
WEDNESDAY, MAY 18, 2005

* Mr. ROTHMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with great pride in honoring an extraordinary individual, Marine Corps General Peter Pace, who was recently nominated to serve as the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the United States Armed Forces. General Pace was raised in Teaneck, New Jersey, one of the largest municipalities in the Congressional District that I am privileged to represent. General Pace has risen to become the first Marine to lead the Joint Chiefs of Staff, an honor that he has earned through decades of hard work and determination. His story is a source of inspiration to every resident of the Garden State.

* The son of an Italian immigrant, Peter Pace was born in Brooklyn, New York, and moved to Teaneck with his family the following year. After settling down in a home on Hillside Avenue, Peter quickly became involved in local youth athletics. While attending Teaneck High School, Peter worked hard and achieved academic excellence, which resulted in his acceptance to the United States Naval Academy in 1963.

* Upon graduation from Annapolis and successful completion of The Basic School in Quantico, VA, Peter Pace was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division in the Republic of Vietnam and served as a Rifle Platoon Leader. After returning from his combat duty in Vietnam, Peter served in a number of different staff and command positions, including Head of the Infantry Writer Unit at the Marine Corps Institute, Security Detachment Commander at Camp David, White House Social Aide, and Leader of the Special Ceremonial Platoon.

* In April of 1971, Peter was promoted to the rank of Captain, and was later assigned to a Security Detachment in Thailand. In the late 1970's, then-Captain Peter Pace held the position of Operations Officer and Division Staff Secretary at Camp Pendleton in Southern California, where he later served as Commanding Officer of the 2n Battalion, First Marines Division following his promotion to the rank of Major in June of 1980. After heading up a Marine Corps Recruitment Station in Buffalo, NY and attending the National War College, Major Pace was promoted to the rank of Colonel in October of 1988, and advanced to the rank of Brigadier General in April of 1992. He was then appointed as President of the Marine Corps University before assuming various other commands. In recent years, as Vice-chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Pace has been instrumental in shaping the Pentagon's efforts in the war on terrorism.

* Mr. Speaker, I ask my distinguished colleagues to join me in giving our heartiest congratulations to General Peter Pace, the new Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the United States Armed Forces, and a proud example of the Teaneck Public School System. His remarkable achievements and tireless service to his country, the United States Marine Corps, and his fellow servicemen and women clearly are a tremendous source of pride for all Americans and especially all his friends and family from New Jersey.

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