[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 214 (Thursday, December 17, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1173-E1174]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            RECOGNIZING LIEUTENANT COMMANDER CAMERON MASSEY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JOE COURTNEY

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, December 17, 2020

  Mr. COURTNEY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Lieutenant 
Commander Cam Massey, United States Navy, on his service as a 
legislative fellow in my Washington, D.C. office this year. Cam has 
played a critical role this year supporting my work on the House Armed 
Services Committee and representing the proud Navy community in Eastern 
Connecticut.
  As Chairman of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Seapower and 
Projection Forces, I have the high honor of overseeing much of our 
nation's Navy, Marine Corps, and various Air Force programs. This year, 
as our subcommittee considered how best to fund critical shipbuilding 
programs, revitalize our nation's sealift, and Navy and Marine Corps 
readiness across the INDOPACOM, Cam provided critical insight and 
guidance into how our subcommittee could best provide the resources and 
platforms that our Sailors and Marines need to achieve mission success.
  Cam has also seized the initiative in a variety of areas beyond naval 
affairs. He worked to craft an amendment to this year's NDAA that would 
prioritize the sourcing and processing of rare earth minerals from the 
United States and our allies to strengthen our national security supply 
chains. He has also served as the staff-lead for the Friends of 
Australia Caucus, of which I serve as co-chair, ensuring that the ties 
between our countries remain as strong as ever as we recently 
celebrated more than 100 years of mateship.
  Cam's adaptability was put to a severe test this year with the onset 
of the COVID-19 global pandemic, which completely altered the normal 
operations of our subcommittee. Cam was able to work remotely, and 
performed all his assignments without a hitch.
  Cam's work ethic, character, humor, intelligence, and first-hand 
experience when it comes to nuanced naval affairs made an immediate 
impact on my office and I know their absence will be felt with the same 
immediacy. Cam and his family have made tremendous sacrifices for our 
nation, traveling around the world with the fleet. They've uprooted 
their family nearly a dozen times in just as many years. We're grateful 
that they've landed close to Washington for the time being and thank 
them for always answering our nation's call without hesitation.

[[Page E1174]]

  Madam Speaker, the Navy's legislative fellowship program is an 
invaluable effort that benefits members of the House and Senate with 
the insight of junior officers who like Cam, bring real world 
experience from military duty. I can honestly say I have learned a 
great deal from Cam's insights based on his training and experience. 
That has also been the case for each of his predecessors that my office 
has had the opportunity to host. I also enjoy watching through their 
eyes the workings of Congress, which I've come to know from end of year 
debriefs, greatly expanded their understanding of the legislative 
branch of government. This recurring process that the fellowship 
program fosters, strengthens civilian-military understanding for future 
leaders of the greatest military in the world, which I believe is so 
important to our democracy.
  Cam is leaving Congress but he isn't going far and will be serving as 
an Operations Officer at the National Joint Operations & Intelligence 
Center, Operations Team Five. I know his expertise and humor will be 
deeply missed by both my personal staff and Seapower staff.
  Our nation is best served at sea and here on shore by officers and 
leaders of the highest caliber. This perfectly describes Cam, who has a 
promising career ahead as a commander and leader in service to our 
nation. On his final month here in Congress, I wish LCDR Massey the 
best of luck in his new role. To Cam, his wife Cassidy, their children 
Avery and Colin, Hotty Toddy and War Eagle. Fair winds, and following 
seas, Massey Family.

                          ____________________