[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 58 (Friday, April 15, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E486]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               RECOGNIZING CAPTAIN JESSICA GRACE KINGSLEY

                                  _____
                                 

                          HON. JOSEPH J. HECK

                               of nevada

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, April 15, 2016

  Mr. HECK of Nevada. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to Captain 
Jessica Kingsley for her past year of exemplary service as an Army 
Congressional Liaison for the Chief, Army Reserve. During that short 
time, Jessica made a lasting and positive impact on the Army Reserve 
through her efforts to foster and maintain relationships with 
Congressional members and staff. As the legislative liaison for 
personnel and medical portfolios, she ensured that Army Reserve 
Soldiers' interests were clearly communicated to Members of Congress 
and their staffs as they contemplated the impacts of pending 
legislation. Additionally, Jessica led efforts to draft, refine, and 
promote legislative proposals designed to ensure the well-being of Army 
Reserve Soldiers and to maintain the superior quality force the Nation 
expects from its Army Reserve.
  I am grateful that she will continue to serve the Army and Congress 
in her new assignment to the House Liaison Division, Office of the 
Chief Legislative Liaison, at the Pentagon, Washington, D.C. We wish 
her well in her new position and look forward to our continued 
relationship.
  A native of New York, Captain Kingsley enlisted in the Army Reserve 
as a Private. She served ten years as an Intelligence Analyst. During 
that time, Jessica deployed to Bosnia and Herzegovina in support of 
NATO's first peacekeeping operation and the NATO led Stabilization 
Force, deterring war and maintaining security to support civil 
reconstruction efforts. In 2001, she mobilized for 30 months at U.S. 
Army Forces Command in support of the Global War on Terrorism. In 2002, 
she graduated from the University of Georgia with three Bachelor 
Degrees in Criminal Justice, Sociology and Psychology.
  Captain Kingsley was appointed via direct commission into the 
military intelligence branch in 2005. As an Officer in the United 
States Army Reserve, Captain Kingsley served at various levels. In 
2005, she mobilized in support of humanitarian efforts on behalf of the 
people of Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas as part of Joint Task Forces 
Katrina and Rita. In 2006, Captain Kingsley deployed to Iraq as the 
Senior Intelligence Officer for the Engineer Task Force serving Multi-
National Force-West and conducting all bridging, construction and route 
clearance operations in western Iraq. In 2008, she was selected to 
serve as the Aide-de-Camp for the Commanding General of the Military 
Intelligence Readiness Command at Fort Belvoir, Virginia. In 2011, she 
was selected as the Company Commander for Headquarters and Headquarters 
Detachment, 377th Military Intelligence Battalion in Orlando, Florida. 
In 2012, Captain Kingsley was recognized with the General Douglas 
MacArthur Leadership Award.
  Her service in the Army Reserve is highlighted by her 2013 selection 
as an Army Congressional Fellow. Captain Kingsley graduated with a 
Master's Degree in Legislative Affairs from The George Washington 
University and served as a Congressional Fellow for Senator Robert 
Casey Jr. of Pennsylvania. In Senator Casey's office, she worked 
legislative and constituent issues in National Defense, Foreign 
Affairs, Veterans Affairs, and various labor and union related areas. 
Following her fellowship, Captain Kingsley served as a Legislative 
Liaison assigned to the Office, Chief Army Reserve.
  As with all our Citizen Soldiers, it is important that we acknowledge 
her civilian employer's sacrifice and community's service. It is 
because of their cooperation and understanding during her many tours on 
Active Duty that she is able to make such a positive impact on the Army 
Reserve.
  Jessica is accustomed to working long hours in all of her positions 
in the Army and civilian sector. So, it is only fair and proper to 
acknowledge the tireless support of her spouse, Annah. I thank her for 
her sacrifices and wish her all the best for continued success in the 
future.
  Throughout her twenty year career, Captain Jessica Kingsley has made 
positive impacts on the careers and lives of her Soldiers, peers, and 
superiors, and I am grateful that she has chosen to serve as an Army 
leader. I join my colleagues today in honoring her dedication to our 
Nation and invaluable service to the United States Congress as an Army 
congressional liaison.

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