[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 160 (Wednesday, December 12, 2012)]
[House]
[Pages H6712-H6713]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   RECOGNIZING JEH JOHNSON, GENERAL COUNSEL OF THE DEPARTMENT OF THE 
                                DEFENSE

  (Mr. SMITH of Washington asked and was given permission to address 
the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. SMITH of Washington. I rise today to recognize the outstanding 
service of Jeh Johnson, general counsel of the Department of Defense.
  In navigating a wide range of important legal issues, Jeh has been an 
invaluable partner to the House Armed Services Committee over the last 
4 years, and he is respected by Members on both sides of the aisle. 
Over the last 4 years, Jeh has advised the committee on numerous 
national security challenges, including cyberwarfare, counterterrorism 
operations, the legal boundaries of the conflict against al Qaeda and 
its affiliates, sensitive intelligence matters, and detainee operations 
worldwide. Jeh was integral to our efforts to reform military 
commissions--where those accused of planning and executing 9/11 attacks 
will be prosecuted. He has regularly testified before Congress and 
provided briefings on the Don't Ask, Don't Tell law and policy, efforts 
to combat sexual assault in the military, changes to the combat 
exclusion policy, the membership of the Joint Chiefs, and the 
withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq.
  There has been no shortage of very difficult and very controversial 
issues. Jeh has always approached them intelligently and professionally 
and served this country, the President and Congress well.
  The one thing I always noticed about Jeh is he liked coming over and 
talking to Congress, which is not always the case in the executive 
branch. He recognized the importance of the relationship between the 
legislative branch and the executive branch. He has served our country 
very well.
  I wish him well in private practice and thank him for his service.

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