[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 194 (Monday, December 10, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1617-E1618]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    HONORING THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE NATIONAL CRYPTOLOGIC MUSEUM

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                     HON. C.A. DUTCH RUPPERSBERGER

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, December 10, 2018

  Mr. RUPPERSBERGER. Mr. Speaker, I rise before you today to honor the 
25th Anniversary of the National Cryptologic Museum (NCM) at the 
National Security Agency at Fort Meade, Maryland. As one of its first 
public museums, the NCM became the intelligence community's gateway to 
the American people when it opened its doors in December 1993 and its 
collection of stories and artifacts continue to tell the intriguing and 
exciting history of American cryptology.
  The NCM's first curator, Earl ``Jerry'' Coates, laid the framework 
for what would become the nation's primary educational facility in 
cryptology. Stocked with artifacts once stored in offices, warehouses 
and private collections in garages and attics, the museum tells the 
little-known history of code-making and code-breaking. It brings to 
life the people who made that history and the state-of-the-art tools 
and technologies they created. Over the last two-and-a-half decades, 
the museum's research library holdings have grown into one of the 
nation's richest cryptologic resources.
  The museum, under the current leadership of Robert Simpson, continues 
to grow and modernize, demonstrating the amazing evolution of 
technology from the American Revolution to present day. Artifacts 
include the German Enigma machines, the never-compromised Sigaba 
machine and one of the first super computers.
  Today, the museum averages 70,000 students, educators, researchers, 
scholars, historians, and other visitors annually. During special 
events, Civil War and World War II reenactors bring to life accounts of 
signal intelligence and American cryptology. The NCM hosts festivals 
and celebrations that bring people of all ages to the museum to 
experience cryptologic challenges, learn the value of language skills, 
and gain a greater appreciation for the military men and women who have 
served throughout our history, protecting us and our way of life 
through cryptology.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that you join with me today in honoring the 25th 
Anniversary of the National Cryptologic Museum. I am proud that my 
district--the Second Congressional District of Maryland--is home to 
this impressive resource that has served my constituency well over the 
years. I congratulate all of the museum's staff on this milestone and 
wish them another 25 years of success and stewardship.

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