[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 140 (Monday, November 17, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1607-E1608]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        HONORING DAVID BURRELLI

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. DUNCAN HUNTER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, November 17, 2014

  Mr. HUNTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to salute the career of a 
distinguished servant of Congress in the area of national defense--
David Burrelli, Ph.D. In early January, Dave will retire from the 
Congressional Research Service after 30 years of faithful service to 
the legislative branch.
   Dave joined CRS in 1985 while a Ph.D. candidate at the University of 
Chicago. In the years that followed, he's contributed enormously to 
discussions in the national defense arena, supplying a thoughtful and 
rational voice on tough issues. One of Dave's many contributions 
involved helping me write into federal law the definition of gender 
neutral standards for women in ground combat assignments. His 
comprehensive knowledge on the issue was impressive and his guidance 
and steady hand, on something that no doubt was viewed by some as 
polarizing, produced a bipartisan product that is certain to have a 
beneficial impact on our military. Most importantly, the provision will 
ensure we maintain an effective fighting force--which Dave knows 
something about as a graduate of Marine Officer Candidate School in 
July 1978.
   Dave's time in the Marine Corps was just the start of a long, 
distinguished record of service. He graduated from the University of 
Maryland in 1979 and received his Master's degree from Maryland in 
1981. In 1986, he received his Ph.D. and his dissertation ``Evaluation 
of the Program to Recruit College-Bound Youth into the Army'' helped 
the Army to develop a program which eventually became The New GI Bill. 
Dave's formal education did not end there. He is a proud 1996 graduate 
of the National War College where he received a Master of Science 
degree in National Security Strategy.
   As a CRS specialist in military manpower policy, Dave worked on 
military force structure, compensation, health care, and variety of 
military social issues such HIV/AIDS, and sexual assault to name but a 
few. Dave also became CRS's resident expert on military medals and 
awards and provided exemplary support to Congress on this important 
aspect of military service.
   In March 1993, Dave was a leading witness for the Senate Armed 
Services Committee hearing on ``Policy Concerning Homosexuals in the 
Armed Forces.'' In a letter to the Director of CRS, Senator Sam Nunn, 
the committee chairman, noted ``During one of the longest hearings we 
have ever held during my 20 years on the Committee, he consistently 
provided clear answers to extremely difficult questions about military 
life and the relationship between the military and civilian society. 
Dr. Burrelli has assisted the Committee in developing [an] 
authoritative foundation for the Committee's hearings on this most 
difficult issue. In doing so, he has performed an important public 
service.'' In recognition of Dave's recognized ability to handle 
difficult and sensitive topics, he continued to serve as the service's 
lead specialist on a variety of highly sensitive and important military 
social issues until his retirement. Dave also provided distinguished 
service to CRS as a supervisor of the CRS intern program for five years 
and as a Library of Congress docent for ten years. In his capacity as a 
docent, he was often asked to provide library tours to a variety of 
distinguished visitors.
   And if all of this didn't keep Dave busy enough, his friends and 
colleagues tell me he's also an accomplished musician and has played in 
over 125 area theater productions as a bassist.
   Dr. David Burrelli leaves behind him not only a distinguished public 
service career but a legacy of leadership and mentorship to colleagues, 
congressional staff, and defense policy analysts alike. I ask my 
colleagues to join me in expressing our deepest gratitude and 
appreciation to him for his 30 years of service to Congress and our 
nation.
    

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