[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 152 (Friday, December 12, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1805]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         TRIBUTE TO JOHN HOWARD

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. GREG WALDEN

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, December 11, 2014

  Mr. WALDEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor John Howard, an 
indispensable member of my staff and good friend who will soon retire 
after ten years of faithful service to me and the people of Oregon's 
Second District.
  John has had a long, dedicated career serving his country. In fact, 
this actually marks John's second retirement. In 1994, John left his 
beloved United States Navy after a thirty year career, rising from 
enlisted seaman to Commander. A passionate Fighting Illini alumnus, 
John received his commission in 1970 as a graduate of the Navy ROTC 
program at the University of Illinois. John served on five ships, 
including command of the USS Saginaw (LST-1188) and several shore 
assignments, including two tours in Washington D.C.
  After a few years of retirement--and a brief stint as a dotcom 
millionaire gone bust with an independent software development 
company--John and his wife Cathy relocated from Virginia Beach, 
Virginia to Medford, Oregon in September 2001. In fact, the closing on 
his home was delayed because of 9/11. He persevered through and settled 
in to the Rogue Valley getting involved in his community through the 
United Way and several military organizations. I first met John when he 
was the president of the Rogue Valley Council of the Navy League where 
he presented me with an honorary Navy League membership.
  A lifelong Republican, John stepped up to volunteer with the 2004 
Bush/Cheney presidential campaign in Jackson County, OR. John stayed in 
touch with my office through similar political and community volunteer 
efforts. Soon, when a member of my staff decided to return to school 
part time, I brought John on to share the workload and the following 
year, John joined my team full time to handle veterans and military 
casework and provide input on related policy matters.
  Bringing John onboard wasn't without issue. John Howard is a pretty 
common name for one and we already had a John on staff. The 
communication logistics could have been daunting, yet by chance House 
IT averted a crisis. John was bestowed with a non-standard email 
address that had no ``dot'' between his first and last name. Thereafter 
and forevermore, John was referred to as NoDot amongst Team Walden.
  During his ten years on staff, John has handled 4,144 cases for 
individual constituents and veterans, almost 1/3 of all the cases 
handled in 16 years by my office. That doesn't include the countless 
other veterans and other constituents assisted on the side with 
information and guidance.
  Of course, it was hard for him to top the success of one of his first 
cases on staff where he showed an ability that surprised us all, 
bringing veterans back to life. John was contacted by a veteran who had 
received a letter from the VA containing the shocking news that he was 
deceased. Working with his contacts at the VA, John was able to get the 
error corrected and brought the veteran back to life in the VA's 
records. Over the years, John has had a couple other similar cases, all 
of which he found fascinating to resolve.
  As my veterans caseworker, and later as Director of Constituent 
Services, John worked with veterans organizations across the district 
to make sure that I heard their concerns and let them know I was 
available to assist. John was a familiar face at veterans meetings and 
events in southern Oregon. Further, he was instrumental in developing a 
presentation for civic groups on what goes on in congressional offices, 
making my services more known and available to constituents.
  A good naval officer is always concerned about the morale of his 
sailors. John carried that approach with him and became the de facto 
Morale Officer in my Southern Oregon District Office. Combining this 
with a firm belief in the importance of quality community outreach in 
politics, John founded ``Rope Yarn/Veterans Outreach Wednesdays'' which 
are weekly after hours gathering for staff and local veterans to 
discuss local veteran's issues and partake in the occasional fermented 
beverage--as any good sailor would!
  During his tenure, John took the reins of my service academy 
selection process, changing and building it into the strong program it 
is today. He constructed a board of retired military officers to 
interview all candidates that was decidedly ``Purple,'' ensuring all 
service components were fully represented. This system has proven to be 
highly successful. In fact, nine of the 18 students I nominated last 
year received an appointment to the class of 2018.
  As John heads into retirement, he is looking forward to some 
increased time with his extensive family, which includes his wife 
Cathy, his son, five daughters; soon-to-be 13 grandchildren--including 
two newborn fraternal twin granddaughters--along with 2 foster 
grandchildren.
  Always service oriented, John will continue to volunteer in his 
community and was recently appointed to the board of the Jackson County 
Retired Seniors Volunteer Program. In addition, he has been approached 
to serve on the board of the United Way and the Jackson County Veterans 
Advisory Committee.
  Whether spending time with family, golfing or volunteering it will 
always be easy to identify John from afar in the University of Illinois 
characteristic orange and blue, or overhear the words to the Songs of 
the Illini--from Illinois Loyalty to Hail to the Orange--which he 
loudly and proudly belt out with the slightest provocation.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring John's 40 
plus years of public service and in wishing fair winds and following 
seas to a true gentleman, shipmate, and friend. Godspeed, NoDot!

                          ____________________