LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Colonel David C. Allbee upon the occa-
sion of his retirement after 41 years of distinguished service to the
United States Army and the Nation

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body seeks to honor and acknowledge those
individuals whose professional lives, military service and civic endeav-
ors serve to enhance the stature of the State of New York; and
WHEREAS, For the past 41 years, Colonel David C. Allbee has rendered
faithful, conscientious and valuable military service to the United
States Army and the Nation; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Colonel David C. Allbee upon the occasion of his retirement after 41
years of distinguished service to the United States Army and the Nation;
this auspicious occasion will be celebrated at a retirement ceremony to
be held on Friday, May 27, 2011, at Eisenhower Hall at the United States
Military Academy at West Point, New York; and
WHEREAS, Born on May 29, 1947, in Pierre, South Dakota, Colonel David
C. Allbee is Professor and Head of the Department of Chemistry and Life
Science at the United States Military Academy; and
WHEREAS, Colonel David C. Allbee graduated from the United States
Military Academy on June 3, 1970, and was commissioned a Second Lieuten-
ant in the Field Artillery; upon graduation from the Military Academy,
and after several critical duty assignments both overseas and in the
United States, while stationed at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, Colonel Allbee
was responsible for the field exercises of the Human Engineering Labora-
tory Battalion Artillery Tests, testing the product improved Field
Artillery Data Acquisition Computer, fielding the digital command and
control systems for the gun crews, and the use of laser range finders
and designators on the battlefield; this effort resulted in the total
integration of the latest doctrine and hardware with a new series of
computers for the United States Army's Field Artillery; and
WHEREAS, In 1979, Colonel David C. Allbee graduated from The Pennsyl-
vania State University with a Master of Science degree in Physical Chem-
istry and was assigned to the United States Military Academy as an
instructor and assistant professor in the Department of Chemistry; and
WHEREAS, The Academic Board of the United States Military Academy then
selected Colonel Allbee as an Academy Professor for the Department of
Chemistry and he returned to The Pennsylvania State University where he
earned his Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry in 1985; upon his return to the
Department of Chemistry, he was instrumental in the creation of the
Photonics Research Center and served as the first Director of this new
center, developing a multidisciplinary laser facility which became the
first center of excellence for the United States Military Academy; and
WHEREAS, Colonel David C. Allbee's primary research has been in the
areas of polymers, lasers, and photoacoustic spectroscopy; he became the
Acting Head of the Department of Chemistry and then in 1991 was selected
as the Professor and Head of the Department of Chemistry, United States
Military Academy; and
WHEREAS, At the United States Military Academy, Colonel David C.
Allbee's perspective and knowledge of college governance is unparal-
leled; throughout his tenure at West Point, he has served with
distinction and exemplified the soldier/scholar; culminating his years
of service to West Point as Professor and Head of the Department of
Chemistry and Life Science, his legacy demonstrates his innovative
strength in merging scientific theory with war fighting practice; and

WHEREAS, Colonel David C. Allbee served as the Chair of the Admissions
Committee for the past nine years; he also served as the Head Officer
Representative of the Golf Team for 17 years; and brought the conception
and design of the New Science Center to fruition; and
WHEREAS, In addition, Colonel David C. Allbee served our nation's
national security interests by leading an international team that
designed the National Military Academy of Afghanistan; and
WHEREAS, The unparalleled success and reputation of West Point's
Academic Program, both within the academic world and international
community, can be directly traced to the efforts of Colonel David C.
Allbee in creating opportunity and reform in virtually every aspect of
the core curriculum and within the Department of Chemistry and Life
Science at the Military Academy; and
WHEREAS, Among his many awards and decorations, Colonel David C.
Allbee has received the Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit,
Meritorious Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal with two
Bronze Service Stars, Army Superior Unit Award, Global War on Terrorism
Service Medal, Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, Army
Service Ribbon, and the Overseas Service Ribbon; and
WHEREAS, Colonel David C. Allbee has been inducted into the honor
societies of Phi Kappa Phi and Sigma Pi Sigma as well as being a member
of several professional organizations including the American Chemical
Society; and
WHEREAS, With him throughout have been his wife, Sharon S. (Brickey)
Allbee, as well as their two children, James and Michelle, all of whom
feel privileged to be a part of his life and rejoice in his achieve-
ments; and
WHEREAS, In all his official acts, Colonel David C. Allbee has been
governed by a sense of loyalty, duty and honor, that allowed him to be a
natural leader; and
WHEREAS, Throughout his extraordinary and outstanding military career,
Colonel David C. Allbee has earned the admiration, esteem and affection
of his friends, family and colleagues; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Colonel David C. Allbee upon the occasion of his retirement after
41 years of distinguished service to the United States Army and the
Nation; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Colonel David C. Allbee, 12 Brazien Court, Walden, New York
12586.