[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 79 (Thursday, May 21, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1243-E1244]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING RICHARD C. PROTO

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOHN B. LARSON

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 21, 2009

  Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor of 
Richard C. Proto, former Director of Research for the United States 
National Security Agency. A great civil servant to our nation, Mr. 
Proto was born and raised in Connecticut, and he attended New Haven 
public schools growing up. He played with the Wilbur Cross 1958 New 
England High School basketball champions and received his bachelor's 
degree in mathematics from Fairfield University in Fairfield, 
Connecticut. Mr. Proto went on to receive his Master's degree in 
mathematics from Boston College in 1964 and joined the NSA following 
graduation, where he remained for 35 years. During his time with the 
NSA, Mr. Proto received the Presidential Rank Award for Distinguished 
Service and the National Intelligence Distinguished Service Medal. 
After his retirement in 1999, he remained an advisor to the 
intelligence community, the national laboratories, and the Institute 
for Defense Analysis at Princeton, until his death in July of 2008.
  In a formal ceremony on May 18, 2009, the United States NSA dedicated 
its Symposium Center to Richard C. Proto, in honor and recognition of 
his dedicated service to the agency. During the ceremony, Mr. Proto was 
praised by his former colleagues and recognized for his creation of the 
still-relied upon ``Proto Algorithm.'' Mr. Proto's family was present 
and participated in the ceremony. Family members included his brother, 
Neil

[[Page E1244]]

Proto, sister, Diana Proto Avino, and four of Mr. Proto's cousins.
  His parents, Matthew and Celeste Proto, were active in Connecticut's 
civic and political life. Celeste immigrated to the United States in 
1916 from Italy. Mr. Proto's pride for his Italian heritage led him to 
also found the Antonio Gatto Lodge of the Sons of Italy in Laurel, 
Maryland.
  I am honored to join with others in praise for this remarkably-gifted 
and dedicated public servant from Connecticut. Mr. Proto's strategic 
and practical aid to the protection of our nation and our country's 
troops--from the Cold War to the Gulf War--is deserving of recognition 
and admiration. I ask my colleagues to join with me in honoring the 
life of this great man.

                          ____________________