Recognizing Colonel Robert Solenberger Usa, Retired, with A Congressional Veteran Commendation

Floor Speech

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Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, it is my great honor to present retired Colonel Robert I. Solenberger, United States Army, with the 2023 Congressional Veteran Commendation. He is the epitome of the U.S. Army's slogan, ``Be All You Can Be.''

Robert Solenberger was born in 1943 in Oakland, California, earning a bachelor's degree in engineering chemistry from the University of New Mexico in 1965. In the midst of the Vietnam War, a young twenty-five- year-old patriot commenced thirty years of active military service when he enlisted in 1968. While engaged in infantry training at New Jersey's Fort Dix, Robert incurred extensive lung damage, spending months in what was then the Valley Forge Army Hospital in Pennsylvania.

Medically discharged from the Army in 1972, with access to rehabilitation funding, Robert attended medical school at the University of Maryland, obtaining a Doctor of Medicine in 1974, later training in surgery. Ever the patriot, he then applied for a direct commission as a surgeon in the Army Medical Corps; with his acceptance in 1984, and assignment to Brooke Army Medical Center at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, Robert began his final twenty-six years of active duty.

Some of Robert's deployments included Operation Desert Storm with the longest and largest Mass Casualty (MASCAL) exercise; Bright Star 95, for which he would be commended by the Army of Egypt; Ulchi Focus Lens 99 in Korea; supporting USMC forces in Afghanistan in 2002 with the 555 Forward Surgical Team; as well as Kuwait, Honduras, and Panama. Colonel Solenberger held the post of Chief Surgeon at Fort Cavazos in Killeen, Texas--the world's largest military base. Uniquely, he led the surgical team in delivering Conjoined Twins--and the workup leading to the only successfbl separation in a DOD hospital.

Among Colonel Solenberger's decorations are a Bronze Star, the Legion of Merit, the Meritorious Service Medal, National Defense Service Ribbon (three stars), Joint Service, Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Army Commendation Medal, and Army Achievement Medal. He received an Order of Military Medical Merit in 1990; the ``A'' Designator (academic full professor), with pediatric surgery credentials in 1997, and the Combat Medics Badge.

Since retiring from active duty in 1994, Robert continues to mentor future military surgeons through his work with surgical residents at both the VA hospital system at Waco, Texas and the VA's Temple, Texas facility. Adding to his remarkable career is the also remarkable fact that Robert has performed in active military duty and as a hands-on, teaching surgeon with the Veterans Administration despite more than a sixty percent disability rating. Battlefield tested, Robert brings both empathy and inspiration to the Texas veterans he now serves with dedication and compassion.

For his love of country, tireless service and continuing to ``Be All You Can Be'' it gives me great pleasure to award retired United States Army Medical Corps Colonel Robert I. Solenberger with the 2023 Congressional Veteran Commendation.

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