Assembly Resolution No. 176 BY: M. of A. Buttenschon CONGRATULATING Colonel Timothy J. Lawrence upon the occasion of his retirement after many years of distinguished service to the United States Air Force WHEREAS, Individuals who dedicate their lives to military service merit the commendation and applause of all citizens for their commitment to the preservation of American freedom; and WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to acknowledge the significant milestones in the distinguished careers of esteemed residents of this noble Empire State; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to congratulate Colonel Timothy J. Lawrence upon the occasion of his retirement after many years of distinguished service to the United States Air Force; and WHEREAS, Colonel Timothy J. Lawrence currently serves as Director of Information Directorate and Commander of Detachment 4, Air Force Research Laboratory, Rome, New York; the Information Directorate (RI) is the Air Force's leading research organization for command, control, communications, computers and intelligence, and cyber technologies; and WHEREAS, Under the able leadership of Colonel Timothy J. Lawrence, RI has tirelessly carried out its mission to explore, prototype and demonstrate high-impact, game-changing technologies that enable the United States Air Force and nation to maintain its superior technical advantage; and WHEREAS, A native of Waterloo, Iowa, Timothy J. Lawrence graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from the United States Air Force Academy in 1988, Master of Science degree from MIT in 1993, and a PhD from the University of Surrey (UK) in 1998; and WHEREAS, Timothy J. Lawrence began his extraordinary service to his country as Second Lieutenant on June 1, 1988; just two years later, he was promoted to First Lieutenant and quickly climbed the ranks to become Captain on June 1, 1992, Major on October 1, 1999, Lieutenant Colonel on September 1, 2004, and Colonel on February 1, 2010, the esteemed position from which he will retire in May of 2021, after more than three decades of valiant military service; and WHEREAS, Colonel Timothy J. Lawrence's PhD research led him to receive the Thomas Hawksley Gold Medal from the Institute of Mechanical Engineering in 1999; that research, coupled with swimming the English Channel, contributed to his designation as one of the Top 10 Outstanding Young People of the World in 2001 by the World Jaycees; and WHEREAS, Throughout his illustrious career, Colonel Timothy J. Lawrence has served at the Air Force Research Laboratory's directorates in Edwards AFB and London as an advanced space propulsion engineer and space technology liaison officer; furthermore, he authored a textbook on nuclear propulsion in 1995; and WHEREAS, At USAFA, he was Director of the Department of Astronautics Space Systems Research Center where he worked on the design, assembly, and flight programs of FalconSAT-2, FalconSAT-3, and FalconSAT-5 small satellites; and WHEREAS, Colonel Timothy J. Lawrence spent eight and a half months in Kabul, Afghanistan, where he was a mentor to the Afghan Dean of the National Military Academy Afghanistan; before coming to AFOSR, he was the Commandant and Vice Chancellor of the Air Force Institute of Technology; and WHEREAS, With a steadfast and unwavering commitment to serving his country, Colonel Timothy J. Lawrence has inspired countless military personnel, truly earning the admiration, esteem and affection of his colleagues; and WHEREAS, Colonel Timothy J. Lawrence has been the proud recipient of numerous awards and accolades some of which include, the Defense Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (6 OLC),and the Air Force Commendation Medal (1 OLC), as well as designation as Tau Beta Pi-Co Zeta Top Instructor (2003-2004), Outstanding Academy Educator (May 2002) and World Jaycees Outstanding Young Person of the World for Technology (2001); and WHEREAS, In addition, this extraordinary man was the first American to swim 19 miles from Jersey (UK) to France in 2006, setting a new world record; and WHEREAS, Having exhibited his patriotism both at home and abroad, Colonel Timothy J. Lawrence has demonstrated his love for his country and merits forevermore, the highest respect of his State and Nation; and WHEREAS, Our Nation's veterans deserve to be recognized, commended and thanked by the people of the State of New York for their service and for their dedication to their communities, their State and their Nation; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to congratulate Colonel Timothy J. Lawrence upon the occasion of his retirement after many years of distinguished service to the United States Air Force; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Colonel Timothy J. Lawrence.