[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 85 (Wednesday, May 23, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1133]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      RECOGNIZING ELENI P. KALISCH

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. FRANK R. WOLF

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 23, 2007

  Mr. WOLF. Madam Speaker, I rise today to bring the attention of the 
House to the exceptional work of Eleni P. Kalisch at the Federal Bureau 
of Investigation. It has come to my attention that she will stepping 
down as assistant director of the Office of Congressional Affairs and I 
want to take this opportunity to recognize her leadership within the 
FBI, and dedication to her work with the Science-State-Justice-Commerce 
(SSJC) Appropriations subcommittee, which I chaired during the 109th 
Congress.
  FBI Director Robert Mueller recently stated that Eleni ``has been 
directly involved in every issue facing the FBI over the past five 
years. . .'' and that ``as an advocate for the FBI and its mission, 
Eleni's abilities and professionalism have earned her the respect of 
both lawmakers and colleagues.'' I could not agree more with Director 
Mueller. Eleni worked with the SSJC subcommittee not only to increase 
resources for the FBI, but to help transform the FBI from an 
organization focused on arresting criminals to one focused on terrorism 
prevention after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks that forever 
changed America. Eleni's public service deserves to be recognized.
  During her tenure as assistant director of Congressional Affairs the 
FBI received funding from Congress to establish more than 100 joint 
terrorism task forces; increase the number of translators by 82 
percent, including a 284 percent increase in Arabic translators since 
FY 2001; enhance the FBI's capability to communicate classified 
information with the intelligence community and state and local law 
enforcement; increase the number of legal attache offices from 44 to 
57; increase training for new agents to include classes on terrorism 
investigate techniques; establish field intelligence groups in every 
field office, and hire thousands of new agents and analysts.
  While I was chairman, we also conducted vigorous oversight of the FBI 
and Eleni was cooperative and essential in preparatory work to help 
facilitate FBI transformation hearings each year in addition to the 
annual budget hearings. Her professionalism and willingness to ensure 
that the committee had all appropriate information was superior. I also 
want to recognize Eleni's work with Congress to help enact the PATRIOT 
Act Reauthorization and Intelligence Reform acts.
  In short, Eleni has been a great asset to the FBI, has served the 
director well, and been an excellent resource for Congress. I wish 
Eleni the best in her future endeavors and ask that my colleagues join 
me in thanking Eleni for her hard work and dedication.

                          ____________________