[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 90 (Wednesday, June 8, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E849]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     TRIBUTE TO DR. CHARLES ELACHI

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ADAM B. SCHIFF

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 8, 2016

  Mr. SCHIFF. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor my dear friend Dr. 
Charles Elachi, as he concludes 46 years of service to the National 
Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) Jet Propulsion Laboratory 
(JPL). As Director of JPL for the last 15 years, Dr. Elachi has been an 
exceptional leader and invaluable contributor to space exploration.
   Born and raised in Lebanon, Dr. Elachi left home to pursue a 
Bachelor of Science degree in physics from the University of Grenoble, 
France. From there he received his Diplome Ingenieur in engineering 
from the Polytechnic Institute, Grenoble. He continued his education at 
the California Institute of Technology where he received his Master of 
Science and Doctoral degrees in electrical sciences. After joining JPL 
in 1970, Dr. Elachi continued his education at the University of 
Southern California where he received his Master of Business 
Administration, and the University of California, Los Angeles where he 
received his Master of Science in Geology.
   Dr. Elachi began his 46 year career at JPL as a research and science 
investigator. Quickly rising to leadership, he served as Principal 
Investigator on numerous NASA projects, most notably the Shuttle 
Imaging Radar series, the Magellan Imaging Radar, and the Cassini Titan 
Radar. From 1982 to 2000, Dr. Elachi served as Director for Space and 
Earth Science Programs at JPL and was responsible for the overall 
development of instruments for Earth observation, planetary 
exploration, and astrophysics and the missions utilizing those 
instruments.
   In May of 2001, Dr. Elachi was appointed Director of JPL and through 
the years has steadfastly stewarded JPL to unparalleled success. JPL's 
highly successful Mars missions--Phoenix and the rovers Spirit, 
Opportunity and Curiosity--have pushed the boundaries of robotic 
exploration and have inspired a new generation of scientists. Earth 
missions such as GRACE, Jason 1, 2, and 3, Aquarius, and Cloudsat to 
name a few, have furthered our understanding of Earth's climate and 
given us critical data on the planet we call home. Far beyond our 
planet, Juno, Kepler, Dawn, and many other missions are studying 
various parts of our solar system and beyond. Under Dr. Elachi's 
tenure, these successful missions and JPL's consistent ability to 
deliver on target have created innumerable job opportunities locally 
and nationally, and have continued JPL's distinction and prominence in 
space exploration.
   Throughout his impressive career, Dr. Elachi has authored over 230 
publications and lectured in more than 20 countries about space, 
planetary exploration, and Earth observation. He holds numerous patents 
in the fields of active microwave remote sensing and electromagnetic 
theory. Over the years, Dr. Elachi chaired a number of national and 
international committees which developed plans for the exploration of 
our solar system, neighboring solar systems, and Mars. His exceptional 
career includes over 30 awards and recognitions including the J.E. Hill 
Lifetime Space Achievement Award, the Association of Space Explorers 
Congress Crystal Helmet Award and the NASA Outstanding Leadership Medal 
in three different years, to name a few.
   It is with great appreciation and respect that I congratulate Dr. 
Charles Elachi upon 46 years of exemplary public service. The time and 
energy Dr. Elachi put into his work is extraordinary and people across 
the globe have benefited greatly from his dedicated service. Applauding 
his commitment and dedication to NASA's JPL and its work, I now proudly 
ask you all to join me in commending Dr. Charles Elachi for his 
lifetime of service to our country.

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