[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 110 (Friday, July 30, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1706]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   THE RETIREMENT OF DDO JACK DOWNING

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. PORTER J. GOSS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, July 30, 1999

  Mr. GOSS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today, Mr. Speaker, to recognize the 
contributions of Jack Downing, CIA's Deputy Director of Operations, or 
DDO, to the security and well-being of this Nation. Just this once, on 
the occasion of Jack's retirement on 31 July, I want to bring this 
remarkable man, our Nation's ``head spy,'' out of the shadows and into 
the spotlight of this forum.
  Barely 2 years ago, Jack was pulled out of an earlier retirement from 
CIA to take over its directorate of operations, or DO, at a time when 
the morale, sense of mission, and strength of the DO had been sapped by 
careerism, corridor politics, and lack of leadership. At that time, I 
knew only two things about Jack: first, he couldn't be a careerist 
because he had already retired once. Second, he couldn't be a 
``corridor cowboy'' back in Washington because he had spend almost all 
of his legendary career in the field where case officers belong. Jack, 
in fact, was our chief of station on the very front lines of the cold 
war.
  What I did not know at the time, and what now causes me to offer this 
tribute, is the leadership that Jack would bring to the DO and to its 
officers. In two short years, Jack has refocused the DO on its core 
capability: the clandestine collection of intelligence. Under Jack, DO 
officers have found ways to penetrate terrorist cells, to get inside 
the cabinet rooms of rogue states, and to detect and disrupt the 
movement of narcotics. Under Jack, the DO has been put in a position to 
collect intelligence on whatever threats and challenges come our way in 
the next century.

  Jack's leadership, however, is more than these accomplishments. In 
the unique, often peculiar, business of espionage, the DDO is more than 
someone who directs the operations of the DO; for young officers, 
particularly, the DDO is a role model in the clandestine service. And 
the DO, in my opinion, has never had a better role model than Jack 
Downing.
  As chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, I visit stations 
overseas and talk with the young officers who hop fences, slip down 
alleys, and take real risks to collect the intelligence we need back 
here in Washington.
  Over the past 2 years, the change I have seen in these young officers 
overseas has been extraordinary. Where there used to be malaise is now 
a sense of mission. Where there used to be risk aversion is now a 
feeling of confidence. Perhaps the most telling change under Jack 
Downing, and most central to the character of this former marine, is 
that his troops at risk in the field know that he will stand behind 
them when things go wrong.
  I can offer no higher tribute than what Jack's own troops think of 
him. I commend this man for what he is and what he has done. Our 
country is and will be a better place because of him.
  Godspeed, to Jack Downing, you are ``the right stuff'' and have 
served us well.

                          ____________________