[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 88 (Friday, May 24, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E674]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               CELEBRATING THE LIFE OF CHARLES B. SEIDEL

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JOHN KATKO

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, May 24, 2019

  Mr. KATKO. Madam Speaker, I rise today in memory of Charles B. 
Seidel, a devoted public servant and loving husband and father. On May 
7, 2019, Mr. Seidel passed away at the age of 62 while on a business 
trip. Mr. Seidel had an outstanding 26-year career with the Central 
Intelligence Agency, overseeing agency operations throughout several 
conflicts, before entering private life in 2006.
  Charles Seidel was born on June 29, 1956 in Alexandria, Virginia, to 
his parents John and Annette Seidel. His father was a senior CIA 
officer who inspired his son to follow in his footsteps. Shortly after 
graduating from Drew University, Mr. Seidel joined his father at the 
CIA in 1980.
  Mr. Seidel spent most of his CIA tenure in the Middle East, holding 
various leadership roles in Iraq, Kuwait, and North African nations. As 
Chief of Station for the CIA's Middle East Station, he provided 
intelligence support in the efforts to end Saddam Hussein's 1990 
invasion of Kuwait and once again in 2003 to overthrow the Hussein-led 
regime in Iraq. Mr. Seidel possessed a deep respect for the history and 
customs of the Middle East, which helped him collaborate with the 
citizens and governments in the region.
  In 2006, Mr. Seidel retired from the CIA and worked for private 
security consultants such as Decapolis LLC, Blackfish Group, Command 
Global Services, Strategic Risk Management, and Lazarus Brothers. He 
was awarded two Intelligence Stars for valor during his service with 
the agency and was well-respected by his peers.
  Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating the life 
of Charles B. Seidel. He was a committed public servant who always 
strived to keep America safe from malicious foreign actors. 
Additionally, the level of respect he showed for other cultures was 
second to none and serves as an honorable standard for all Americans.

                          ____________________