[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 181 (Thursday, November 15, 2018)]
[House]
[Page H9531]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  HONORING THE LIFE OF DAMON P. NELSON

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
North Carolina (Mr. Holding) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. HOLDING. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the life and 
legacy of my friend, Damon Nelson, who passed away only a few days ago. 
Damon was a gifted individual who dedicated his life to serving his 
country.
  A short time after graduating from college, Damon enlisted into the 
United States Air Force as an in-flight refueling specialist. Damon 
distinguished himself in the Persian Gulf War for which he was awarded 
an Air Medal and three Air Achievement Medals.
  Yet Damon's service to his country did not end when he left the Air 
Force. For the past 15 years, Damon has worked as a senior level 
congressional aide here in Congress, first in Congressman Nunes' office 
and most recently as staff director of the House Permanent Select 
Committee on Intelligence.
  Mr. Speaker, we are all shaken and heartbroken by the news of Damon's 
untimely passing. He was loved by all who knew him for his good humor, 
his cheerful optimism, and his friendly personality. You could always 
count on Damon to lend a hand or provide some much-needed guidance.
  At work he earned a reputation as a highly intelligent and 
enthusiastic doer capable of attacking any challenge that came through 
the door. Damon Nelson will be remembered as a loving husband and a 
gifted individual who dedicated his life to public service and as a 
good friend.
  My prayers are with his wife, Dana; his family; his colleagues; and 
his many, many friends.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Wenstrup).
  Mr. WENSTRUP. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding.
  Mr. Speaker, it is with both sadness and pride that I rise to honor 
Damon Nelson. America lost a great patriot at too young of an age. 
Damon dedicated nearly his entire life to public service and always put 
service above self. He understood that freedom comes at a high price, 
and he dedicated his life to defending freedom for the next generation.
  He believed that our country is worth sacrificing for and that 
freedom is worth fighting for. As Mr. Holding said, he served in the 
U.S. Air Force as an in-flight refueling specialist and was a veteran 
of the Persian Gulf War where he earned the Air Medal and three Air 
Achievement Medals.
  Damon began his service on Capitol Hill working for his home 
district, the 22nd District of California. I know Damon for his 
exemplary service as the staff director for the House Permanent Select 
Committee on Intelligence. Damon helped guide our committee and indeed 
our country through a tumultuous time with an unfailing commitment to 
seeking the truth and doing the right thing.
  His calm leadership approach is an example to all of us. At moments 
where it seems like things may be falling apart, Damon was there with a 
joke and a laugh to hold the group together. He often used sarcasm with 
us when we needed it most, and he was a statesman when we needed it 
most. His kind and patient demeanor earned Damon the respect of 
everyone he knew. In a political climate that is often difficult, he 
kept sight on the fact that we are all Americans.
  Indeed, all of us who knew Damon will sorely miss his strategic mind, 
warm personality, and genuine concern for others. My heart is with 
Damon's wife, Dana, and his family. I pray God's healing grace will be 
with them during this difficult time.
  Mr. HOLDING. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. 
Hurd).
  Mr. HURD. Mr. Speaker, it is with great sadness that we say goodbye 
to Damon Nelson, an Air Force veteran, a tireless public servant, and a 
friend to so many.
  I was fortunate enough to know Damon through my role on the Permanent 
Select Committee on Intelligence where he protected some of the 
Nation's most classified information and navigated complicated national 
security issues with absolute confidentiality and professionalism 
during a highly polarizing and rocky time. Damon provided a steady hand 
when our country needed it most.
  I want his wife, Dana, to know that her family is bigger than she may 
realize, and we all love her so very much.
  Ernest Hemingway said: ``Every man's life ends the same way. It is 
only the details of how he lived and how he died that distinguish one 
man from another.''
  Damon did much to distinguish himself in this life, and he is finally 
home. We will miss him.
  Mr. HOLDING. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from the great 
State of Arkansas (Mr. Crawford), who is my colleague and friend.
  Mr. CRAWFORD. Mr. Speaker, I rise this morning to join my colleagues 
in celebrating the life of Damon Nelson.
  While I have only served on the Permanent Select Committee on 
Intelligence for a short time, I grew to know, respect, and cherish 
Damon as a professional and as a friend. Our work on the committee is 
some of the most challenging and rewarding I have done since being 
elected to this body and is supported almost entirely by a loyal staff 
whose dedication to the American people is second to none.
  As staff director, Damon set the tone and direction of committee 
staff who work closely with us as members and others in the House. He 
always greeted us with a smile and positive attitude. His leadership 
ensured we were fully equipped and prepared for every caucus meeting, 
hearing, or legislative issue. His staff saw him as a leader who wanted 
us to have the best, most accurate information and preparation for our 
work. They followed him with trust and appreciation for his approach to 
his work.
  As you have heard, he served in the Air Force and deployed to the 
Persian Gulf War where he earned numerous medals. Over the following 
years, he moved on to serve in the Capitol here. Over the next many 
years, Damon moved up and eventually took the helm of the Permanent 
Select Committee on Intelligence at a tumultuous time for this Chamber 
and for our country. His poise, his character, his attitude, and his 
care for our country shined through in recent years as this committee 
worked on some extremely sensitive and public matters. Not once did 
Damon put his own interests above anyone else's. He simply sought to 
serve his country through his role on this committee and in this body.

  Mr. Speaker, I wish him and his family the best.

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