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.
