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Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, I rise today to pay respect to the memory of William F. Lackman, Jr., a resident of Middleburg, VA, who died last week at the age of 65. Mr. Lackman was a distinguished public servant to whom the Nation owes its most profound respect and gratitude.

Bill Lackman served his country for more than 40 years--first as an Army officer and then as a distinguished civilian member of the Defense Intelligence community. Graduating from West Point in 1951, Mr. Lackman served in the Army for 22 years, retiring in 1973 with the rank of colonel. He was a battle-hardened officer who led soldiers in combat during two different wars, Korea and Vietnam. Among a number of other prominent decorations, he won the Silver Star and twice earned the Combat Infantryman's Badge.

Of profound significance is the fact that he was twice felled by battlefield wounds, meriting two awards of the Purple Heart. Nevertheless, he continued his military service because he was dedicated to the ideals embodied in the United States Constitution to which he had sworn an oath to support and defend.

In addition to his wartime uniformed service, Mr. Lackman worked in a number of diversified and important military assignments. He held policy-related positions in both the Office of the Secretary of Defense and the Joint Staff. He also had the unusual distinction of having instructed cadets at both the U.S. Military Academy and at the U.S. Air Force Academy. Long before the Goldwater-Nichols Act officially recognized the need and codified a requirement for outstanding officers to serve in joint positions, Bill Lackman was walking point as a `purple suit' officer.

Starting in 1976, Bill Lackman continued his devoted service to the Nation as a Department of Defense civilian. He worked in positions of increasing responsibility within the Defense Intelligence network culminating with his service, from 1992 to 1994, as the Director of the Central Imagery Office in the Department of Defense. In that capacity, he was responsible for all aspects of imagery reconnaissance, including satellite photography, for the Department of Defense and various other national intelligence agencies. The importance and complexity of that position in this high tech age, replete with numerous and diverse threats to our security, is unmistakable. Yet Bill Lackman was more than worthy of the job and he accomplished his mission with integrity, dedication and professionalism.

Over the years, I had a number of opportunities to work with Bill. Particularly in my capacity as a member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, I often sought out insights and advice from him on a variety of intelligence matters. In every instance, his input was thorough and accurate. Suffice it to say that my respect for Bill Lackman, as both a person and an intelligence adviser, was profound.

Mr. President, I believe my colleagues will agree that William F. Lackman, Jr., was an extraordinary public servant whose dedicated service to the people of the United States, spanning more than 40 years, is worthy of our eminent praise and respect. On behalf of all Virginians and a grateful Nation, I wish to extend my sympathies and gratitude to Bill's wife, Anne, his seven children, and his parents, Mr. and Mrs. William F. Lackman.

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