[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 212 (Tuesday, December 15, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1151-E1152]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING RUSSELL BRYANT FOR 44 YEARS OF MILITARY AND CIVIL SERVICE

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. GERALD E. CONNOLLY

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 15, 2020

  Mr. CONNOLLY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Russell Bryant 
for his 44 years of selfless service to our nation and to congratulate 
him on his upcoming retirement.
  Mr. Bryant attended Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, receiving a 
ROTC scholarship after his first semester. Though he initially studied 
Aeronautical Engineering, he switched to Nuclear Engineering following 
his ROTC midshipman cruise. After obtaining his Bachelor of Engineering 
in Nuclear Engineering, he received his commission as an Ensign in the 
United States Navy on May 13, 1976.
  He was first stationed on the USS Mississippi and later served on 
both the USS South Carolina CGN-37 and the USS Texas CGN-39, serving in 
various capacities of increasing responsibility. Mr. Bryant left active 
duty on September 30, 1987, at which time he held the position of Ship 
Maintenance Manager for the USS Carl Vinson CVN 70 on the Commander 
Naval Air Forces Pacific Fleet Staff in San Diego, VA. His active duty 
awards include Meritorious Unit Commendation and the Naval 
Expeditionary Medal, and two Sea Service ribbons. After his discharge 
from active duty, he joined the Naval Reserves where he served with 
distinction, again earning numerous medals and awards.
  Mr. Bryant continued his service to our nation beginning November 11, 
1987, as a civil servant in the Aircraft Carrier Program Office, PMS 
312, of the Naval Sea Systems Command. In 1994, he took a new position 
in the Program Executive Office for Ship Self Defense Systems (PEO 
SSDS), which is now the Program Executive Office for Integrated Warfare 
Systems. Mr. Bryant has contributed greatly to the Navy through his 
involvement in the realm of electronic warfare and decoys from 1994 to 
present day.
  Even while balancing the demands of a top-level civil service 
position and his responsibilities in the U.S. Naval Reserves, Mr. 
Bryant still found the time to complete courses at the Naval War 
College, receiving his diploma in 1997. He also completed the USDA 
Executive Potential Program and was recognized as the Outstanding 
Alumni for 2000. He went on to take other graduate level courses and 
received his Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies 
from the Naval War College in 2003. A recognized expert in various 
aspects of technical, social and organizational components of Command 
and Control, Mr. Bryant has published numerous peer-reviewed papers 
since 2000.
  Mr. Bryant has also contributed to his local community. He served as 
his Prince William County Supervisor's Budget Advisory Committee Chair 
for two years. He subsequently served as Prince William County 
Woodbridge District Planning Commissioner, advising the Prince William 
County Board of Supervisors on land use and development issues in the 
County. Mr. Bryant remained in this position until December 31, 2018 
after serving on the commission for 16 years, including 12 as Chairman.
  At the end of December 2020, Mr. Bryant will retire following 44 
years of exemplary service as a Naval Officer and a Civil Servant. I 
congratulate Mr. Bryant and commend him for his outstanding service to 
the protection of our great nation and the betterment of our local 
community. Madam Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in 
congratulating Russell Bryant on his retirement and in wishing him and 
his wife Janelle continued health, happiness and success.

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