[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 71 (Wednesday, April 26, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E541]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    A BOW TO A LAWYER WITH APPEALING SKILLS--JOAN O'HARA JOINS VICE 
          PRESIDENT PENCE'S `RIGGEROUS' NATIONAL SECURITY CREW

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MICHAEL T. McCAUL

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 26, 2017

  Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today out of gratitude for the 
service and friendship of Joan O'Hara--formerly my General Counsel for 
the House Homeland Security Committee--who now holds the post of Deputy 
National Security Advisor to Vice President Mike Pence.
   Joan would tell you she owes her professional success not to the 
Halls of Congress but to the sculls and shells of crew. In fact, the 
first 15 years of Joan's adult life were dedicated to competitive 
rowing--not law or politics. She approached rowing as she has since 
approached any obstacle or opportunity in her life: with genuine 
curiosity and an undeterrable will for success.
   Joan took up rowing in her senior year at Loyola College in 
Maryland. Shortly thereafter, she won a national championship in the 
single scull competition and was part of a winning team in a quad 
scull. The former is a testament to Joan's individual determination and 
perseverance, the latter--her leadership and teamwork. Both of these 
qualities have since expressed themselves explicitly in Joan's 
political career.
   After her own competitive career was over Joan coached rowing at the 
collegiate level. As a mentor to young women, she shared her personal 
experiences and insight to help others better themselves. Joan taught 
that it is not just the strength of one's back that contributes to 
rowing success but a cognizant awareness of the route to the finish 
line and humble understanding of what it takes to get there; and that 
when there are multiple people in the scull, it is not about how well 
any one person rows but how well they row as one.
   This same mentality has guided her political career. In 2007, Joan 
noticed a political fervor at the grassroots level that she had never 
seen before. With her interest sparked, she decided to pursue a law 
degree and career in public service. Similarly to rowing, Joan excelled 
at an impressive rate. She joined the Homeland Security Committee as a 
legal intern and was hired on as a counsel--quickly ascending to 
General Counsel.
   In her tenure as my General Counsel, she was a trusted advisor and 
close confidant. She positioned herself at the forefront of the 
encryption debate by drafting legislation to create a national 
commission to provide recommendations balancing privacy and security. 
She also played an integral part in facilitating the first 
congressional agreement to reauthorize the Department of Homeland 
Security.
   Joan's insight, professionalism, and leadership are missed as she 
departs this Committee. She will be an outstanding advisor to the Vice 
President, and I am excited to see what she makes of this new 
opportunity. It will be a pleasure to watch Joan as she once again 
embarks on a new adventure and accepts nothing less than excellence 
along her journey.

                          ____________________