[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 116 (Friday, September 5, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1676]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




[[Page E1676]]



                  CONGRESSIONAL TRIBUTE TO MIKEL RYAN

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. STENY H. HOYER

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 5, 1997

  Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mikel Ryan for his 
contribution to the national defense and economic health of the United 
States. Mr. Ryan has displayed outstanding leadership in a wide ranging 
civil service career that culminated as Chairman of the Department of 
Defense Range Commander's Council Frequency Management Group.
  Mr. Ryan received a B.A. in telecommunications from the University of 
Northern Colorado in 1981, and has done graduate work in 
telecommunications at Colorado State University.
  On August 26, 1997, Mr. Mikel Ryan completed his 2-year tenure as 
Chairman of the Department of the Defense Range Commander's Council 
Frequency Management Group [FMG]. Under Mr. Ryan's leadership, the FMG 
greatly enhanced its role assisting the development of national 
spectrum policy that affects the test range spectrum requirements and 
issues to senior level DOD personnel. In addition, he enhanced the 
links between the DOD and the civil aerospace industry, a key component 
of the national economy. Mr. Ryan's leadership of the FMG minimized 
negative effects of recent losses of Federal spectrum access on the 
entire DOD test range structure.
  Currently, Mr. Ryan heads the Mid-Atlantic Area Frequency 
Coordination Office at the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division 
at Patuxent River, MD. He is responsible for frequency management for 
the entire division. Mr. Ryan is also the executive coordinator for the 
automated spectrum planning, engineering, coordination, and tracking 
system. This system is the frequency management software with over 
2,300 users worldwide.
  Mr. Ryan has over 23 years of experience in the U.S. Government in 
communications. He joined the U.S. Army in October 1973, and served as 
a paratrooper/radioman in the 82d Airborne Division for 3 years. After 
earning his special forces qualification in September 1977, Mr. Ryan 
served as a senior communications sergeant on an operational detachment 
in the 19th Special Forces Group Airborne, Aurora CO. In August 1982, 
Mr. Ryan joined the 11th Special Forces Group Airborne.
  Mr. Ryan's greatest contribution has been his exceptional leadership 
and support to the entire spectrum of the Nation's wide variety of 
policies, including support for the test and operation of highly 
complex National defense systems, and the civil aerospace industry. He 
has played a key role in assuring that there is spectrum available to 
support the test and operation of highly complex National defense 
systems, and the economic health of the United States. Thanks in large 
part to Mr. Ryan's diligence and committed hours of persistent and 
effective coordination, the National Test Range spectrum requirements 
has become an integral part of the daily defense operations. His 
support for defense and economic health will have a long lasting 
impact. Mr. Ryan's development of new range policies and increased 
cooperation is the cornerstone of a growing 21st century.
  The United States is indeed indebted to Mr. Mikel Ryan for his 
selfless and distinguished service. Mr. Ryan, your outstanding 
leadership and ceaseless efforts have laid a solid foundation for the 
development of range policies. We offer our thanks and appreciation for 
a job well done and wish you continued success in the future.

                          ____________________