TRIBUTE TO DR. JOE LEVERETT

TRIBUTE TO DR. JOE LEVERETT

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 49 (Wednesday, March 18, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 49 (Wednesday, March 18, 2026)] [Senate] [Page S1203] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] TRIBUTE TO DR. JOE LEVERETT Mr. LANKFORD. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize Dr. Joe Leverett of Altus, OK, whose lifelong commitment to community service and support for our Nation's military has left a lasting impact on southwest Oklahoma, the men and women who serve at Altus Air Force Base, and our U.S. Air Force. A fourth-generation resident of Altus, Dr. Leverett calls himself ``just a country doctor.'' Yet, as a board-certified physician in internal medicine and geriatric medicine and former chief of staff at Jackson County Memorial Hospital, he has spent decades caring for patients in Altus and the surrounding region, improving the health and well-being of Oklahomans while embodying the highest ideals of his profession. His contributions to the Altus community and southwest Oklahoma extend far beyond his medical career. Following in the footsteps of his late father, Darill Leverett, he has been a dedicated civic leader, volunteering countless hours to strengthen the partnership between the people of Altus and the airmen stationed at Altus Air Force Base. As chairman of the Altus Military Affairs Committee, Dr. Leverett has long championed the understanding that the success of the base and the vitality of the surrounding community are deeply connected. Through his leadership, he has helped foster a culture of support and appreciation for those who serve our country, ensuring that the base and the community continue to thrive together to meet the mission at hand. In recognition of his tireless advocacy for Altus Air Force Base, the KC-46 Flight Training Center at Altus Air Force Base bears Dr. Leverett's name, a lasting tribute to the profound role he has played in strengthening the relationship between the installation and the surrounding community. Dr. Leverett's leadership extends far beyond the city limits of Altus. He has served as a member of the Oklahoma Strategic Military Planning Commission, was appointed to the Secretary of the Air Force's Air and Space Force Civic Leader Program, received the respected Tampa Bay Trophy during the Airlift/Tanker Association Convention in 2016, and, in 2023, was honored with the Distinguished Public Service Award presented by the Secretary of the Air Force. Dr. Leverett's selection for these honors reflects the profound impact he has had in building enduring ties between Altus Air Force Base and the community it calls home. Dr. Leverett's life is a testament to the power of service--to his neighbors, to his community, and to the men and women of the U.S. Air Force. His leadership has strengthened the bond between Altus and the airmen stationed there, and his work will benefit both his community and Nation for years to come. As he steps back from his leadership role with the Altus Military Affairs Committee, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Dr. Joe Leverett for his remarkable dedication and in thanking him for the many ways he has served the people of Oklahoma and the United States. We are deeply grateful for his service. ____________________