[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 123 (Friday, August 1, 2014)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5319-S5320]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            MORNING BUSINESS

  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Under the previous order, the 
leadership time is reserved and the Senate will be in a period of 
morning business until 2 p.m., with Senators permitted to speak therein 
for up to 10 minutes each.
  Mr. REID. I note the absence of a quorum, please.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The clerk will call the roll.
  The assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. CHAMBLISS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Murphy). Without objection, it is so 
ordered.


                         Tribute to Matt Olsen

  Mr. CHAMBLISS. Mr. President, I rise to pay tribute to the Director 
of the National Counterterrorism Center Matt Olsen. Matt has announced 
his intention to leave his position later this year after serving as 
Director of NCTC for over 3 years. Matt is one of the best and 
brightest public servants with whom I have had the pleasure to work. I 
wish to take a couple of minutes to thank him for a job well done.
  As vice chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, I 
have had the opportunity to work very closely with Matt, as he served 
in a number of key positions in the intelligence community. Regardless 
of his position, Matt has served with integrity and has provided sound, 
honest counsel, which has benefited not only me but numerous other 
Members of this body.
  At NCTC Matt has overseen several key initiatives that have enhanced 
NCTC's ability to discover and prevent terrorist attacks, such as the 
Pursuit Group that was put in place after the failed attack on 
Northwest flight 253. Matt has been a strong advocate for NCTC's 
mission, striving to make sure NCTC has the right people and the right 
data to get the job done. He has done his part and has kept the Center 
acutely focused on terrorist threats to the homeland.
  I am certainly glad I supported his nomination and can attest that 
Matt is a man of his word. Before joining NCTC, Matt served as the 
National Security Agency's general counsel and as an Associate Deputy 
Attorney General at the Department of Justice. Matt worked on several 
national security issues at DOJ but quickly became an expert on the 
Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act and its implementation. Matt has 
an excellent perspective of the role of surveillance and keeping this 
country safe, and I hope he will participate in the public debate on 
this issue even after his departure from government service.
  I would like to say a special thanks to his wife Fern and his three 
children: Elizabeth, Nate, and Will. Matt has missed many nights and 
weekends with his family as the Director of NCTC and throughout his 
public service career. I am sure these sacrifices have been difficult 
at times, but our Nation is better for it. I know Matt has spent every 
day of his tenure as Director focusing on how best to neutralize the 
increasing threat posed by Al Qaeda and its affiliates.
  Matt's family should be very proud of his outstanding achievements 
and his dedicated efforts to protect our national security. I 
understand Matt plans to return to teaching and spend some well-
deserved free time with his family. His presence will be missed at NCTC 
as well as on the Hill. To Matt and his family, thanks again and best 
wishes for whatever the future holds.
  I yield the floor and suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. GRAHAM. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  Mr. GRAHAM. Mr. President, I intend to speak on a couple matters in 
morning business for 10 minutes.

[[Page S5320]]

  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

                          ____________________