[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 129 (Wednesday, September 10, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1377-E1378]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
HONORING THE LIFE OF FREDERICK LEO WAHL
______
HON. RALPH M. HALL
of texas
in the house of representatives
Wednesday, September 10, 2014
Mr. HALL. Mr. Speaker, I rise to commemorate and celebrate the life
and extraordinary contributions of Frederick Leo Wahl, one of the most
knowledgeable and insightful government relations professionals many of
us had the privilege of knowing.
Fred was a selfless patriot in support of our Great Nation since the
late 1960s, beginning with his days as a Naval Intelligence Officer,
then as special assistant to the Director of Naval Intelligence, and as
staff for Senator Frank Church of Idaho.
Fred continued his service to our country and troops as Manager of
Advanced Program Planning at E-Systems, and then Director of Strategic
Planning for Raytheon Systems Company. When Raytheon acquired E-
Systems, he continued his rise to the top of his field and was an
active participant in the subsequent merger and acquisition of Hughes
and Texas Instruments. Fred then joined a technology startup company,
ComCept, which was acquired by L-3 Communications. For the past 14
years, Fred served as Vice President of Government Relations for L-3,
assisting business units with congressional visits, interpreting
legislative bills and representing the L-3 brand on Capitol Hill and
throughout the Washington, DC, area.
Fred was selected to attend the Harvard JFK School of Government's
Executive Course for National/International Security Executives and the
Penn State Executive Development Forum. He attended Idaho State
University, where he was Class President and Student Body President.
Later he attended the University of Oklahoma, the National Law Center
at George Washington University, the U.S. Navy Integrated Operational
Intelligence Center and the Joint Air Intelligence Training Center.
Fred always made time for his family. His two daughters Camille Wahl
and Stephanie Wahl, his grandchildren Fernando Daniel Gonzalez, Holden
Khaira, Atticus Khaira, Ethan Taylor, and Sophie Taylor were the center
of his personal life. Fred frequently took his grandchildren with him
on vacations to exotic locations around the world. Travel and learning
were a legacy Fred wanted to pass on to the next generations. He hoped
to inspire curiosity and give his family a sense of perspective through
their exposure to new places and people.
Fred Wahl was the kind of man who could make even a new acquaintance
feel like an old and trusted friend. He always had an anecdote to keep
the story interesting and remind us that we can do the crucial work of
the
[[Page E1378]]
nation while not taking ourselves too seriously. His bright presence
will be sorely missed. As we adjourn today, I ask my colleagues to join
me in paying our last respects to this great American, Fred Wahl.
____________________