[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 21 (Thursday, February 4, 2016)]
[Senate]
[Pages S668-S669]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     REMEMBERING MICHAEL A. WERMUTH

 Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. President, today I wish to recognize the 
life of Michael Wermuth of Birmingham, AL.
  Michael Anthony Wermuth was born in Birmingham, AL, in 1946, was 
commissioned in the U.S. Army upon graduating from the University of 
Alabama, earned his law degree from the University of Alabama School of 
Law, and practiced law in Mobile, AL, as a partner of the firm Wilkins, 
Druhan & Wermuth. While in Mobile, Mike became involved in local 
politics and worked on the senatorial campaign of ADM Jeremiah A. 
Denton. Upon Admiral Denton's election to the Senate, Mike and his 
family moved to Washington where he served as Senator Denton's chief 
counsel and legislative director from 1980 to 1987.
  After his time in the U.S. Senate, Mike served in the Department of 
Justice as a legislative counsel for civil rights and was Deputy 
Assistant Attorney General for legislative affairs. In 1989, he was 
named Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for drug enforcement policy 
and was instrumental in the implementation of President George H.W. 
Bush's national drug control strategy that was highly effective in 
reducing drug use and importation.
  After 30 years of service, Mike retired as a colonel in the Army 
Reserves. That same year, he joined the RAND Corporation as the 
director of its homeland security program and was the executive 
director of a Federal advisory panel on terrorism. During his time at 
RAND, he worked on a variety of issues including infrastructure 
protection, emergency preparedness, risk management, border control, 
and intelligence.
  After leaving RAND in 2010, Mike continued his work as a consultant 
there and served as an adjunct faculty member at the Texas A&M 
University Bush School of Government and Public Service. He taught 
graduate level online courses in homeland security defense. His 
influence in terrorism defense strategy was vast, and his enduring 
legacy will be his dedication to the stewardship of the next generation 
of policymakers.
  I knew Mike for many years. In Mobile, we served in the same Army 
Reserve center. He was a conscientious and superior officer with a 
steady sense of duty and love of country. As a top member of Senator 
Denton's staff, he was dedicated, loyal, and effective. He was tireless 
in his work to advance the agenda in which Senator Denton so deeply 
believed. I can say his support and that of Senator Denton was critical 
to my appointment as U.S. attorney. In the U.S. Army, the U.S. Senate, 
the Department of Justice, the RAND Corporation, and as a teacher and 
lawyer, Mike always excelled. Discipline, work, loyalty, and patriotism 
were his hallmarks. He was indeed a talented American patriot.
  Michael passed away on November 1, 2015. He is survived by his 
wonderful wife of 35 years, Fran; his children, Ken and Heather; and 
numerous other family members. His partner throughout, Fran is highly 
accomplished in her own right having served in top positions within the 
U.S. Marshals Service. Our

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sympathy is extended to her, the family, and friends upon his 
passing.

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