IN HONOR OF MR. TOGO DENNIS WEST, JR.
April 1, 2020
Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, it is with a heavy heart that I
rise today to pay tribute to an outstanding leader and dear friend of
longstanding, Togo Dennis West, Jr. Sadly, Togo passed away on
Thursday, March 8, 2018. A funeral service will be held on Tuesday,
April 24, 2018 at 2 p.m. at the Washington National Cathedral in
Washington, D.C.
rise today to pay tribute to an outstanding leader and dear friend of
longstanding, Togo Dennis West, Jr. Sadly, Togo passed away on
Thursday, March 8, 2018. A funeral service will be held on Tuesday,
April 24, 2018 at 2 p.m. at the Washington National Cathedral in
Washington, D.C.
Togo D. West, Jr. was born to Togo D. West, Sr. and Evelyn E. Carter
West in Winston-Salem, North Carolina on June 21, 1942. He graduated
from Akins High School in 1965 as valedictorian, was a member of the
National Honor Society, and an Eagle Scout with Bronze Palm. He earned
a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering and a Juris Doctorate
degree from Howard University, where he graduated first in his law
school class in 1968.
West in Winston-Salem, North Carolina on June 21, 1942. He graduated
from Akins High School in 1965 as valedictorian, was a member of the
National Honor Society, and an Eagle Scout with Bronze Palm. He earned
a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering and a Juris Doctorate
degree from Howard University, where he graduated first in his law
school class in 1968.
In 1969, he entered the United States Army as a Commissioned Officer
in the Judge Advocate General's Corps. He also served as a staffer in
the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Manpower and
Reserve Affairs for four years.
in the Judge Advocate General's Corps. He also served as a staffer in
the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Manpower and
Reserve Affairs for four years.
In 1975, Togo was appointed Associate Deputy Attorney General by
President Ford. He then served in several capacities in President
Carter's administration including General Counsel to the Department of
the Navy from 1977 to 1979; Special Assistant to both the Secretary and
Deputy Secretary of Defense in 1979; and General Counsel to the United
States Department of Defense from 1980 to 1981. In 1993, President Bill
Clinton appointed him the United States Secretary of the Army. As the
second African-American to serve in this position, Togo oversaw the
transition of the Army from a post-Cold War organization to a
contemporary fighting force. He also was the driving force behind
initiatives that granted women more opportunities to serve within the
ranks and a strong advocate for harsher penalties for sexual
misconduct. In 1998, President Clinton appointed him Secretary of the
Department of Veterans Affairs. During his tenure, he was a strong
advocate for increased funding for veterans medical care and benefits.
President Ford. He then served in several capacities in President
Carter's administration including General Counsel to the Department of
the Navy from 1977 to 1979; Special Assistant to both the Secretary and
Deputy Secretary of Defense in 1979; and General Counsel to the United
States Department of Defense from 1980 to 1981. In 1993, President Bill
Clinton appointed him the United States Secretary of the Army. As the
second African-American to serve in this position, Togo oversaw the
transition of the Army from a post-Cold War organization to a
contemporary fighting force. He also was the driving force behind
initiatives that granted women more opportunities to serve within the
ranks and a strong advocate for harsher penalties for sexual
misconduct. In 1998, President Clinton appointed him Secretary of the
Department of Veterans Affairs. During his tenure, he was a strong
advocate for increased funding for veterans medical care and benefits.
Outside of his government service, Togo was also actively involved in
the community. He presided on a variety of boards and served in a
number of organizations at the local, state, and national levels. Over
the course of his life, he received numerous awards and commendations,
including the Legion of Merit and the Meritorious Service Medal;
Distinguished Eagle Scout in 1995; and the Silver Buffalo Award and the
Silver Beaver Award.
the community. He presided on a variety of boards and served in a
number of organizations at the local, state, and national levels. Over
the course of his life, he received numerous awards and commendations,
including the Legion of Merit and the Meritorious Service Medal;
Distinguished Eagle Scout in 1995; and the Silver Buffalo Award and the
Silver Beaver Award.
George Washington Carver once said, ``No individual has any right to
come into the world and go out of it without leaving behind distinct
and legitimate reasons for having passed through it.'' We are all so
blessed that Togo West, Jr. passed this way and during his life's
journey did so much for so many for so long. His leadership, his
counsel, and his prominent presence will be greatly missed.
come into the world and go out of it without leaving behind distinct
and legitimate reasons for having passed through it.'' We are all so
blessed that Togo West, Jr. passed this way and during his life's
journey did so much for so many for so long. His leadership, his
counsel, and his prominent presence will be greatly missed.
Togo is survived by his loving wife, Gail; his two daughters, Tiffany
and Hilary; two wonderful grandchildren; and a host of other family
members and friends.
and Hilary; two wonderful grandchildren; and a host of other family
members and friends.
On a personal note, the West family shares a special relationship
with the Bishop family. My wife, Vivian, Togo's wife, Gail, and Hilary
shared membership in the Metropolitan D.C. Chapter of The Links, Inc.
Togo and I are both Eagle Scouts and share the honor of having been
named Distinguished Eagle Scouts by the National Council of the Boy
Scouts of America. Moreover, Hilary served as valued member of our
congressional staff in Washington as she started her career ascension
in Washington.
with the Bishop family. My wife, Vivian, Togo's wife, Gail, and Hilary
shared membership in the Metropolitan D.C. Chapter of The Links, Inc.
Togo and I are both Eagle Scouts and share the honor of having been
named Distinguished Eagle Scouts by the National Council of the Boy
Scouts of America. Moreover, Hilary served as valued member of our
congressional staff in Washington as she started her career ascension
in Washington.
Mr. Speaker, my wife Vivian and I, the members of the United States
House of Representatives and the United States Senate, along with the
more than 730,000 people of the Second Congressional District, honor
and salute Togo West, Jr. for his outstanding achievements, service,
and public distinction. I ask my colleagues in the House of
Representatives to join us in extending our deepest condolences to his
family and friends during this difficult time. We pray that they will
be consoled and comforted by an abiding faith in the Holy Spirit in the
days, weeks and months ahead.
House of Representatives and the United States Senate, along with the
more than 730,000 people of the Second Congressional District, honor
and salute Togo West, Jr. for his outstanding achievements, service,
and public distinction. I ask my colleagues in the House of
Representatives to join us in extending our deepest condolences to his
family and friends during this difficult time. We pray that they will
be consoled and comforted by an abiding faith in the Holy Spirit in the
days, weeks and months ahead.