[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 71 (Wednesday, May 12, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E829-E830]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING MICHAEL SPAK

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. FRANK R. WOLF

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 12, 2010

  Mr. WOLF. Madam Speaker, I call to the attention of the House the 
passing on January 25 of Michael Robert Spak, 62, a resident of 
Leesburg, Virginia, who was the founder and chairman of the nonprofit 
Loudoun Crime Commission.
  Mr. Spak enlisted in the United States Marine Corps at age 18 and 
completed two tours of combat duty in Vietnam from 1966-1969. Following 
his honorable discharge in 1969, he joined the Los Angeles Police 
Department, where he served on the Bomb Squad/Criminal Conspiracy 
Section for several years, becoming an expert on bomb detection, 
disposal and investigation. In 1974, he joined the Central Intelligence 
Agency, where he served for 23 years, first as an officer in the CIA's 
Directorate of Science and Technology and then in the Directorate of 
Operations. In the context of his work, he traveled the world from the 
Middle East to Africa and Asia. He also served in multiple long-term 
overseas assignments in Europe and Latin America. After retiring from 
government service in 1996, he started his own company, Virtual Defense 
& Development International, Inc. (VDI), an international consulting 
and professional services company specializing in matters of defense, 
law enforcement, security and intelligence, and post-conflict economic 
development. He served as president and chairman of VDI until the time 
of his death.
  He was the founder and chairman of the non-profit Loudoun Crime 
Commission; he was a founder of the newly-constructed National Museum 
of the Marine Corps at Quantico, and was active in the Marine Corps 
Heritage Foundation; and he served in the Loudoun County Marine Corps 
League Detachment, where he most recently held the position of judge 
advocate and was involved in its annual Toys for Tots campaign. In 
addition, he owned and operated Amber Creek Vineyard in Leesburg and 
was a member of the Loudoun Winegrowers Association. He was a lifelong 
member of the Masonic Lodge. He held two bachelor's degrees from George 
Mason University and American University, respectively, and at the time 
of his death was working towards his master's degree at American 
University. Mr. Spak was vigilant in his efforts to fight crime and 
support law enforcement agencies. He is commended for his life of 
service to his country and his community. Mr. Spak was willing to put 
his own life at risk for the protection of our country and our 
communities. Michael Robert Spak was very much appreciated throughout 
the Marine, Intelligence and law enforcement communities and his 
energy, ideas and enthusiasm will be greatly missed.

[[Page E830]]

  Madam Speaker, we extend our sympathies to Mr. Spak's family, 
including his wife, Kristin Rickard Spak of Leesburg, Virginia; three 
children, Jessica Lynn White of Ashburn, Brian Thomas Spak of Boulder, 
CO, and Nicholas Michael Spak, of Boulder, CO; two grandchildren: 
Kelsey Lynn White and Austin Ray White, both of Ashburn; and a sister 
Janis Lee Bradley of Carson City, NV.

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