[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 22 (Wednesday, February 5, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E171]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    TRIBUTE TO EDWARD BRUNER, PH.D.

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CHRIS VAN HOLLEN

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 5, 2014

  Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to salute the career of a 
distinguished servant of Congress in the field of foreign affairs, 
defense and trade. Later this month, Edward Bruner, Ph.D., will retire 
from the Congressional Research Service after 23 years of outstanding 
service to the legislative branch.
  Dr. Bruner joined CRS in 1991 after a 27-year career in the United 
States Army that was highlighted by service in Vietnam, teaching 
Geography at the United States Military Academy at West Point, and 
command of an armor battalion at Ft. Knox, Kentucky. From 1991-94, he 
was a specialist in national defense at CRS, where he advised on such 
topics as Army transformation and modernization, peacekeeping 
operations, and the appropriate size of the U.S. military. In 1994, in 
recognition of his leadership abilities, he was asked to head the 
Defense Policy and Arms Control Section of the Foreign Affairs, 
Defense, and Trade Division, where he supervised the day-to-day 
research activities of a team of senior CRS analysts and specialists. 
In 2004, he was asked to assume a greater leadership role and was named 
Deputy Assistant Director of the Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Trade 
Division, where he has served for the past ten years.
  Dr. Bruner's tenure at CRS has been marked by his unparalleled 
dedication to the U.S. Congress and the men and women of CRS' Foreign 
Affairs, Defense and Trade Division. Whether as a national defense 
specialist, Section Head, or, ultimately, as Deputy Assistant Director, 
Dr. Bruner's high professional standards ensured that Congress received 
timely and authoritative policy analysis of the highest order. When he 
assumed a leadership role at CRS, he focused his efforts on helping to 
build a world-class team of managers, analysts, and support staff 
designed to support the rapidly evolving needs of Congress. No matter 
how demanding his day-to-day schedule, he always found time to be a 
mentor, counselor and friend to others, whether it was to CRS staff, 
new congressional staffers, or newly-elected Members of Congress. His 
ability to frame policy issues and organize research efforts for 
complex and multi-faceted policy challenges, combined with his deft 
personal touch, inspired the respect and loyalty of the entire Foreign 
Affairs, Defense, and Trade Division team.
  Dr. Edward Bruner leaves behind him not only a distinguished public 
service career but a legacy of leadership and mentorship that will have 
a lasting impact on CRS. I ask my colleagues to join me in expressing 
our deepest gratitude and appreciation to him for his 50 years of 
service to our nation.

                          ____________________