SR 328: Heyward, Lieutenant Colonel (Ret.) Geneva; recognize

Senate Resolution 328

By: Senators Wicks of the 34th, Anderson of the 43rd, Mangham of the 55th, James of the 28th, Rhett of the 33rd and others

A RESOLUTION

Recognizing and commending Lieutenant Colonel (Ret.) Geneva Heyward; and for other purposes.

WHEREAS, Lieutenant Colonel (Ret.) Geneva Heyward served as a guardian of this nation's freedom and liberty with the United States Army, valiantly and courageously protecting her fellow Americans for 27 years as a Communications Electronic Officer in the Signal Corps across both active duty and the Army Reserve; and

WHEREAS, a native of Beaufort, South Carolina, she earned her commission as a Second Lieutenant upon graduation from Central State University in Wilberforce, Ohio, beginning her distinguished military career in 1981; and

WHEREAS, she completed the Signal Corps Officer Basic Course at Fort Gordon, Georgia, and was assigned to the United States Army Airborne Command Forces as a Communications Electronic Officer, where she was responsible for providing communications support and services both stateside and abroad; and

WHEREAS, she was promoted to First Lieutenant in 1982 and was stationed in Germany in 1983 with the 52nd Signal Battalion, where she played a pivotal role in the successful European Telephone Exchange Cutover; and

WHEREAS, after being promoted to Captain in 1985, she returned to Atlanta, Georgia, in 1986 and transitioned to the United States Army Reserve, joining the 335th Signal Theater Command as a Communications Officer and Equal Opportunity Advisor; and

WHEREAS, she was promoted to Major in 1993 while continuing her service with the 335th Signal Theater Command, later transferring to the 2nd Battalion, 347th Regiment, 87th Division at Fort Eisenhower and subsequently serving as an Equal Opportunity Advisor and Signal Lanes Officer-in-Charge at Fort Gillem; and

WHEREAS, she completed Command and General Staff College in 1994 and was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel in 2000, joining the FORSCOM Augmentation Unit as Operations Team Officer-in-Charge in G6, where she ensured the successful execution of 24-hour communications operations at the United States Army Forces Command; and

WHEREAS, her final assignment was with the 1st Army Headquarters at Fort Gillem, where she served as an Operations and Training Officer, ensuring units received the necessary training materials and preparation; and

WHEREAS, a highly decorated veteran, Lieutenant Colonel (Ret.) Heyward has earned numerous awards and decorations, including the President's Lifetime Achievement Award and two Meritorious Service Medals; and

WHEREAS, Lieutenant Colonel (Ret.) Heyward remains actively engaged in her community as a charter and life member of the National Association of Black Military Women, where she has volunteered with NABMW's Real Women Read initiative; and

WHEREAS, it is abundantly fitting and proper that the outstanding accomplishments of this remarkable and distinguished individual be appropriately recognized.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body recognize and commend Lieutenant Colonel (Ret.) Geneva Heyward for her exceptional career and dedicated service to her nation and extend the most sincere best wishes for continued health and happiness.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed to make an appropriate copy of this resolution available for distribution to Lieutenant Colonel (Ret.) Geneva Heyward.