[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 160 (Thursday, October 2, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2201]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           HONORING THE SERVICE AND RETIREMENT OF JIM WILSON

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                            HON. BART GORDON

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 2, 2008

  Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 
service of a valued staff member--Dr. James Wilson--who will retire at 
the end of this year from the staff of the Committee on Science and 
Technology. As the staff director of the Subcommittee on Research and 
Science Education, Jim's expertise and wisdom on issues of science and 
research policy and the federal role in science and math education are 
unmatched.
  Jim has served on the professional staff of the Committee since 1987. 
In his 21 years of service on the committee he has ably supported the 
oversight and authorization of the National Science Foundation; the 
U.S. Fire Administration; the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction 
Program; and K-12, undergraduate, and graduate science, mathematics, 
engineering, and technology education programs under the committee's 
jurisdiction. He has also played key roles in the committee's work on 
nanotechnology, high performance computing and communications, and 
information systems security. Moreover, Jim played a very important 
role in the formulation of the America COMPETES Act--an initiative 
enacted into law last year that will go a long way towards fostering 
increased investment in innovation and improve the competitiveness of 
the U.S. Jim's contributions were instrumental in making it a good and 
effective piece of legislation.
  Before coming to the Hill, Jim, who has a Ph.D. in aerospace 
engineering from West Virginia University, managed research programs in 
fluid dynamics at the Air Force Office of Scientific Research in 
Washington, DC, and served as an officer in the U.S. Air Force at the 
Flight Dynamics Laboratory at Wright-Patterson AFB, OH.
  Madam Speaker, Jim's dry wit, thoughtful approach to policy, 
institutional knowledge, and general unflappability have made him a 
valued member of the committee staff. I know that all of the Science 
and Technology Committee's Members and staff wish him and his wife 
Sandra well as he moves on to a well-deserved retirement. With his love 
of tennis, travel, driving his Porsche, and enjoyment of the area's 
cultural offerings, I know that he will not be bored once he leaves the 
Hill. In closing, I just want to say thank you, Jim, for your many 
years of dedicated and loyal service. We will miss you.




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