Volume 143, No. 84 covering the 1st Session of the 105th Congress (1997 - 1998) was published by the Congressional Record.
The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“TRIBUTE TO CHARLES GENTRY” mentioning the Environmental Protection Agency was published in the Senate section on pages S5734-S5735 on June 17, 1997.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
TRIBUTE TO CHARLES GENTRY
Mr. DOMENICI. Mr. President, within a few short days, Charles Gentry will be leaving his post as my administrative assistant after many years of distinguished service in the legislative and executive branches of government and 11 years in the U.S. Army.
Charles has served on my staff twice. First as my legislative director and now as my administrative assistant.
During his first tour of duty on my staff Congress enacted the partial deregulation of natural gas. It was a major undertaking. It was complicated. It was contentious. Charles masters every aspect of this complicated piece of legislation. Looking back, natural gas deregulation proved to the country that our Nation has massive quantities of natural gas and that market forces would work to everyone's advantage.
Then, as now, no matter what the task, Charles has always been a leader. He has always excelled. I could count on him. He knows his substance. He knows his politics, and he knows New Mexico.
During the last 4 years Charles helped me with the critical issues facing New Mexico.
When Kirtland Air Force base was included on the Base Closure Commission preliminary list, Charles rolled up his sleeves, and in typical Gentry analytical style found out the facts surrounding this recommendation. It didn't take him long to pinpoint the shortcomings in the Commission's evaluation of Kirtland, and to professionally get the facts to the Commission so they could correct their error. Kirtland was saved and the defense readiness of the country benefited from Charles' hard work.
The administration's grazing fee hike proposal threatened the way of life for hundreds of hard working ranchers in New Mexico. Charles worked diligently to educate members of the Senate about the folly of this proposal. I will always remember the warm welcome we received when we visited southeastern New Mexico and the entire region turned out to thank us for delaying the fees.
Charles has a keen mind for complicated issues, and in New Mexico dealing with Sandia and Los Alamos National Laboratories the issues don't get much more complicated. Charles was one of my key advisors on stockpile stewardship, inhalation toxicology, Nunn-Lugar, and Nunn-
Lugar-Domenici initiatives to minimize nuclear proliferation. He worked particularly hard on the Industrial Partnership Program intended to provide economic development to Russia. More importantly, this program is designed to keep Russian nuclear experts from moving to Iraq or Lybia. This is probably one of the most important defense initiatives since the Berlin wall came down.
He worked on minority contracting issues at Los Alamos and Sandia. When Lockheed Martin took over Sandia and initiated contract reform Charles ensured that small and minority contractors were able to maintain their relations with Sandia.
Two years ago, when I rewrote the energy title of the DOD authorization bill Charles initiated the negotiations with the Armed Services Committee and facilitated the friendly rewrite of more than 60 pages of this important legislation.
Charles has a big heart. New Mexico veterans are developing a beautiful Veterans' Memorial Park. When Charles heard about the effort during a meeting with me and the sponsors of the park, Charles opened his check book and bought the first commemorative tile.
Charles helped me start the Senate oil and gas forum. He is one of the most knowledgeable oil and gas lawyers in the country.
For the past four years, Charles has been my administrative assistant, but our association began many, many years ago. He was raised in Roswell, NM, where he attended the New Mexico Military Institute. While at NMMI, he was an extraordinary student and athlete. Charles was captain of the football team and the New Mexico Golden Gloves heavyweight boxing champion. Before earning his B.A. in science and mathematics at NMMI, he received many academic and athletic honors. In fact, he graduated first in his class. He later received a B.S. in civil engineering from the University of Missouri and a J.D. from Texas Tech University's School of Law.
He previously served for 6 years as my legislative director, during which he became known for his special expertise in natural resources and energy issues.
In the private sector, he has practiced law in both Austin and Dallas, TX, specializing in oil and gas, public lands, natural resources and environmental law.
No recounting of Charles Gentry's life of public service would be complete without noting nearly 11 years in the U.S. Army, where he served with valor as a pilot of fixed and rotary-winged aircraft. When Charles's helicopter was shot down in combat in South Vietnam, he was severely wounded and ultimately medically discharged with the rank of major. His combat decorations include the Bronze Star, Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal with two Oak Leak Clusters, and the Purple Heart.
Following his years of military service, Charles became a White House fellow and was assigned as a special assistant to the Attorney General of the United States, after which he became Director of the Office of Special Projects at the Environmental Protection Agency.
To summarize our work together in the years that Charles has served me, this institution, and the people of New Mexico is a tough job, especially since I know that our relationship will not end with his leaving my staff. This is not the end of a book, rather merely the close of another chapter rich with memories and packed with accomplishment. I wish him much success and happiness as he opens the door to his new chapter in his life.
My wife, Nancy, and I look forward to many more years of friendship and send our best to Charles and his wife Gerrie, his parents, the Roy Gentrys now retired in Albuquerque, his son Geoffrey and daughter Cheryl.
For his fierce intellect, his incredible capacity for hard work, his political insight and his faithful friendship for so many years, I say from the bottom of my heart, ``Thank you, Charles, for a job well done.''
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Missouri is recognized for 8 minutes.
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