[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 153 (Monday, December 3, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1861]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING RAYMOND J. AHEARN

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. DAVE CAMP

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, December 3, 2012

  Mr. CAMP. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with my colleague Ranking Member 
Levin to honor Raymond J. Ahearn, Specialist in International Trade and 
Finance in the Foreign Affairs, Defense and Trade Division of the 
Congressional Research Service (CRS). After a distinguished career of 
more than 37 years of service to Congress on international trade and 
economic policy issues, Ray will retire on December 28.
  During Ray's years of direct support for Congress, he achieved a 
remarkable record of accomplishment. His authoritative, non-partisan 
and objective expertise and analysis, as exemplified in his many 
reports, confidential memoranda, committee prints, and confidential 
consultative work for Members and congressional staff, have addressed 
just about all major international trade and economic policy issues 
before Congress. His institutional knowledge of U.S. trade policy and 
the policy-making process has been invaluable, especially to the Ways 
and Means Committee and its Members.
  Ray's deep institutional knowledge of U.S. trade policies and laws, 
the global trading system and architecture, multilateral and bilateral 
trade negotiations, regional economic groupings, and the fundamental 
trends in the global economy have played a critical role in Congress' 
consideration of these issues. He has also provided intellectual 
leadership to the overall research agenda of the CRS Trade and Finance 
Section, working closely with the Ways and Means Committee, as well as 
many other congressional offices and committees, in ensuring that the 
CRS international trade and finance work was closely aligned with 
policy issues of core congressional interest in an authoritative, 
objective and timely manner.
  We congratulate and thank Ray for his years of excellent service to 
Congress. We wish him the very best in his retirement.

                          ____________________