[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 20 (Wednesday, February 9, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E181]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  TRIBUTE TO RICHARD ``RICK'' GRAMMIER

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. KEN CALVERT

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 9, 2011

  Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, the United States has been fortunate to 
have dynamic and dedicated leaders who willingly and unselfishly give 
their time and talent and make our country a better place to live and 
work. I rise today to recognize and honor one of those individuals, 
Richard ``Rick'' Grammier. Rick passed away on Sunday, January 22, 
2011. He will be deeply missed.
  Rick was the beloved son of Joseph and Elizabeth Grammier. After high 
school, Rick received his Bachelor of Science degree from the U.S. 
Military Academy at West Point in 1977. Rick was a commissioned officer 
in the U.S. Army and served with a field artillery unit as a Captain. 
Following his honorable discharge, Rick began working in Executive 
Management with the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Pasadena, 
California. He earned his Master's Degree in computer and electrical 
engineering from Cal Poly Pomona.
  Rick joined JPL in 1989 and was the Director for Solar System 
Exploration. Previously, he had served as the Deputy Director for Solar 
System Exploration and he has contributed to numerous flight projects 
including as the Command and Data Subsystem Manager for Cassini, the 
Project Engineer and Deputy Project Manager for Stardust, the Project 
Manager for Deep Impact, and the Project Manager for Juno. Rick also 
managed the Laboratory's Office of Mission Assurance.
  Rick was awarded the NASA Exceptional Achievement Medal for Cassini, 
as well as two NASA Outstanding Leadership Medals for his 
accomplishments on Stardust and Deep Impact. JPL Director Charles 
Elachi believed that, ``Rick brought great strength to the Executive 
Council in his leadership role overseeing the Laboratory's robotic 
missions to the planets and small bodies. This is a great personal loss 
for me and for the Laboratory.''
  Rick leaves behind his beloved wife, Laura, children, Daniel, Dave, 
Matthew, Jackson and Jessica, his stepmother, Jeaneal Grammier, and a 
special nephew, Chris Grammier.
  Although I never had the privilege of meeting Rick, in reading about 
his life I have no doubt that he will always be remembered for his 
incredible intelligence, work ethic, generosity, and love of family. 
His dedication to his work and family is a testament to a life lived 
well and a legacy that will continue. I extend my condolences to Rick's 
family, friends and co-workers; although Rick may be gone, the light 
and goodness he brought to the world remain and will never be 
forgotten.

                          ____________________