The Judge Advocates Foundation 
Chief Justice John Marshall 
Lifetime Achievement Award

The Chief Justice John Marshall Lifetime Achievement Award is the Foundation's highest award. The Foundation established the Award commemorating Chief Justice Marshall to honor an individual who once served as a judge advocate, left active military service, and subsequently made great contributions and achievements outside the military legal system.  Former Judge Advocates have made invaluable contributions in many ways, such as judges, members of congress, governors, and in the private sector.

Justice Marshall spent the winter with General George Washington's forces at Valley Forge, rose to the rank of captain, and became a Judge Advocate. He later became Chief Justice of the Supreme Court from 1801 to 1835, and is known as the "Great Chief Justice" because of his impact on the U.S. judicial system. His leadership and legal opinions caused the judicial branch to become equal in authority with the executive and legislative branches.

This year the award was presented to the Honorable Roger F. Wicker, U.S. Representative for Mississippi. 

Left to Right:  Brig Gen Edward F. Rodriguez, Jr., USAF (Ret), JAA President; Roger F. Wicker, U.S. Representative, Mississippi; RADM Donald Guter, JAGC, USN (Ret.), President of the Judge Advocates Foundation

The award was presented by Senior Judge H.F. “Sparky” Gierke, last year’s recipient.  The following is an edited version of Judge Gierke’s comments:

"The Judge Advocates Foundation presents Congressman Roger F. Wicker, Mississippi's First Congressional District, the Foundation’s Chief Justice Marshall Lifetime Achievement Award.

Congressman Wicker has made superior contributions to our Nation.  A native of Pontotoc, Mississippi, Congressman Wicker received his B.A. and law degrees from the University of Mississippi.  While at the University, Roger served as the Associated Student Body President and was inducted into the Hall of Fame.  He served on active duty in the U.S. Air Force as an Assistant Staff Judge Advocate, 4th Combat Support Group, Seymour-Johnson AFB, North Carolina from 1976 to 1978.  He then served in the Air Force Reserve, including assignments as an appellate defense counsel in Washington, DC and for the 14th Flying Training Wing in Columbus, Mississippi, retiring in 2004 with the rank of lieutenant colonel.

At the conclusion of his active duty, he became Counsel to then-Congressman Trent Lott on the House Rules Committee in 1980.  In 1987, he became the first Republican elected to the state Senate from North Mississippi in the 20th century.  He served two terms in the Mississippi State Senate from 1987-1994.  Since 1995, he has served in the United States Congress representing Mississippi's First Congressional District.  He was re-elected to a seventh term in November 2006.

Roger's leadership abilities have been recognized by his colleagues in Washington.  He serves as a member of the leadership team in the House as deputy whip.  He continues to serve on the powerful Appropriations Committee, a seat he landed as a freshman in 1995.  He is also a member of the Defense Subcommittee and in 2007 was named ranking minority member of the Military Construction/VA Subcommittee.  His responsibilities encompass helping fund wide-ranging activities affecting veterans including health care, construction of VA health facilities, pensions, and benefits as well as military construction projects in the U.S. and around the world.

On the Defense Subcommittee, he has fought to strengthen the nation's armed forces and supported key projects to bolster active duty, National Guard, and Reserve functions.  He has stated, "As an Air Force veteran, I understand the responsibilities and obligations our country owes to the men and women of our armed forces. I look forward to the opportunity to craft legislation that will meet those needs and represent a wise use of our tax dollars."

Roger has been an untiring supporter of health care research activities.  The American Heart Association presented Roger with its 1998 National Public Service Award for his efforts to fight heart disease.  Twice, he has been recognized as a "champion" of polio eradication for his work on efforts to wipe out polio worldwide.  In 2003 he was one of three federal lawmakers to be presented the American Cancer Society's Capitol Dome Award for leadership in securing bipartisan support for programs "to address the devastating impact cancer has on individuals, families, and communities throughout the U.S." 

Roger’s strong advocacy to spur economic development and bring jobs to Mississippi has resulting in hundreds of millions of dollars in private investment in predominately rural areas.

In 2005, Roger was one of four House members appointed to serve on the Board of Visitors of the U.S. Naval Academy.

Active in the community, Roger is a member of the Community Development Foundation and the Lions Club, where he has served as vice president.  For his church, he and his wife Gayle teach Sunday School.  He is also a member of the choir, is a deacon, and formerly served as chairman of the deacons.

Congressman Roger Wicker has truly made his mark in service to our country, to the JAG family, and to our veterans, and by his remarkable achievements, is an inspiration to all who are serving or once served in the judge advocates corps.  We are proud to present the Judge Advocate Foundation Award which reads  -- The Judge Advocates Foundation Chief Justice John Marshall Life Achievement Award presented to the Honorable Roger F. Wicker who in the tradition of the Great Chief Justice honorably served as a Judge Advocate, and continues in making inspiring, immeasurable contributions to our Nation outside the military legal system – with grateful appreciation from the Judge Advocate Corps – May 2007."

Past Recipients:

2006:  The Honorable H.F. "Sparky" Gierke, Chief Judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals
             for the Armed Forces
2005:  Major General William K. Suter, Clerk of the U.S. Supreme Court
2004:  The Honorable Lindsey O. Graham, United States Senator
2003:  The Honorable Anthony J. Principi, Secretary of Veterans Affairs
2002:  The Honorable Robert Mayer, Chief Judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for
              the Federal Circuit