congressional_record: CREC-2026-02-26-pt1-PgS703-2
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| granule_id | date | congress | session | volume | issue | title | chamber | granule_class | sub_granule_class | page_start | page_end | speakers | bills | citation | full_text |
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| CREC-2026-02-26-pt1-PgS703-2 | 2026-02-26 | 119 | 2 | TRIBUTE TO COLONEL CHESLEY L. DYCUS | SENATE | SENATE | TRIBUTETO | S703 | S703 | [{"name": "Kevin Cramer", "role": "speaking"}] | 172 Cong. Rec. S703 | Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 38 (Thursday, February 26, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 38 (Thursday, February 26, 2026)] [Senate] [Page S703] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] TRIBUTE TO COLONEL CHESLEY L. DYCUS Mr. CRAMER. Mr. President, I rise today to honor a great American and an exceptional member of the U.S. Air Force, Col. Chesley Dycus. As the chief of the Air Force Senate Legislative Liaison Division from July 2024 to July 2025, Chesley performed his duties well and without reservation supporting the 118th and 119th U.S. Congresses. Hailing from Waverly, TN, and a graduate from the U.S. Air Force Academy, where he also played baseball, Chesley has served in the Air Force for over 25 years. He is a command pilot with over 3,800 hours of flight time in a variety of aircraft. Throughout his career, he has demonstrated exceptional and unrivaled officership in a myriad of positions from wing command to Acting Deputy National Security Advisor to the Vice President of the United States, all critical to U.S. defense and national security world-wide. Chesley distinguished himself through his professional character and dedication by serving this Nation in uniform as chief of the Air Force Legislative Liaison Division to the Senate. In this role, he advised Department of the Air Force senior leaders and helped develop strategic engagement opportunities to advance U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force priorities. His leadership facilitated seamless collaboration on behalf of the Department of the Air Force across 63 congressional offices. He supported numerous engagements and delegations for 150 Senators, Congressmen, and staffers to showcase Department equities in the United States and abroad. Most notably, Chesley's advice shaped support for the Department of the Air Force's efforts to optimize for near-peer conflict and drove hearing engagements with 27 Senate Armed Service Committee members in support of Department leaders. These briefings effectively communicated the Department's modernization and resource requirements to address pacing challenges abroad. His efforts helped ensure the Department of the Air Force's support of the National Defense Strategy in the return to Great Power Competition. With steadfast dedication, Chesley connected Members of Congress with key decision-makers, including the Secretary of the Air Force, leading to significant progress on critical Department of the Air Force initiatives. He secured critical funding for Air Force and Space Force birthday celebrations and the Secretary of the Air Force's Capitol Hill Holiday Reception, successfully executing all three events. These initiatives fostered strategic engagements between 32 Members of Congress and 24 Department of the Air Force senior leaders, strengthening congressional support for crucial national security priorities. Finally, Chesley, as a master of relationship building, cultivated a service-oriented culture within the Department of the Air Force's Senate liaison team. His leadership ensured the delivery of strategic, prompt, and precise communications to Senators. Under his direction, the team facilitated 88 Department of the Air Force engagements on Capitol Hill and 12 congressional and staff delegation trips of great national security significance, including the Reagan National Defense Forum, bolstering the Department of the Air Force's 2025 National Defense Authorization Act priorities and 2026 budget request. These engagements helped U.S. Senators and their staffs understand defense equities and their impact on national security. Due to his direct involvement and stewardship, Members of Congress were able to make informed decisions and ensured the Department of the Air Force was properly resourced and funded. After serving in this crucial role and becoming a fixture on Capitol Hill, Col. Chesley Dycus will continue to work in the Department of the Air Force Legislative Liaison as its deputy director. Chesley and his wife Jenna have instilled a legacy of service for their children Chesley and Lila. They have sacrificed much as a family in service to our Nation. I am thankful for Chesley's service and his work with my office and the Senate over the past year on issues of vital importance to the defense of the United States. I salute this American patriot whose selfless service has kept our country safe and strong. ____________________ |