[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 53 (Thursday, March 24, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E298]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               HONORING JJ GERTLER FOR HIS PUBLIC SERVICE

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. ADAM SMITH

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 24, 2022

  Mr. SMITH of Washington. Madam Speaker, I wish to honor the 
achievements of Jeremiah ``JJ'' Gertler, Specialist in Military 
Aviation, Congressional Research Service, on the occasion of his 
retirement from the Service on February 28, 2022.
  JJ Gertler served Congress with distinction for more than 22 years at 
the Library of Congress as a Specialist in Military Aviation for the 
Congressional Research Service, as a professional staff member of the 
House Armed Services Committee, and as a Defense Legislative Assistant 
for then-Senator Chuck Robb of Virginia. He earned a bachelor's degree 
from Amherst College in Amherst, Massachusetts, a master's degree in 
international security policy from the Elliott School of International 
Affairs at the George Washington University in Washington, D.C., as 
well as graduating with distinction from the U.S. Naval War College in 
Newport, Rhode Island.
  JJ is recognized throughout Congress, the military Services, the 
defense community, and the military aviation community as an expert in 
U.S. military aviation programs, capabilities, and strategy. He 
authored numerous reports and products pertaining to important military 
aircraft programs across the military services, ranging from the F-35 
fighter to the Marine Corps Osprey to privatized adversary air combat 
training. He also is an expert in the strategic use of military 
aviation, writing extensively on no-fly zones, possible air strikes in 
numerous conflicts, and on the strategic implications of the Air 
Force's long-term budget priorities. He excelled at consultative work 
for Members of Congress and staffers, developing and maintaining long-
term relationships with offices and committees of jurisdiction.
  JJ also exercised true leadership at CRS. He was chosen, based on his 
outstanding skills as an analyst and public speaker, to moderate 
numerous high-profile panels organized by the Service, most notably the 
plenary session for the 2019 New Members' Seminar in Williamsburg, 
Virginia. His skills at presentation are well noted by both members and 
peers, and a House Armed Services subcommittee chairman once told him, 
``I have been here 10 years, and I have never heard a better 
presentation.'' He created the first podcast for CRS aimed at 
Congressional clients, served a year in a rotation as a Senior Advisor 
to the Director of CRS, and piloted multiple new written CRS products 
during his tenure.
  During his tenure as a professional staff member on the House Armed 
Services Committee from 2000 through 2004, Mr. Gertler oversaw the 
defense procurement and missile defense budgets, including all 
classified programs, during the Fiscal Year 2000 through 2005 budgets. 
Prior to serving on the committee, he was a defense legislative 
assistant from 1990 to 1995 for Senator Robb who was simultaneously 
serving on the Armed Services, Foreign Relations, and Intelligence 
committees.
  JJ Gertler, in addition to his tremendous work and professionalism, 
is notable for his love of automobiles and his sense of humor. While 
working on Senator Robb's staff, JJ's sports car team finished third in 
the country. He plans to retire to the Maryland shore and continue 
those pursuits. On behalf of the House Armed Services Committee and all 
those who JJ has worked with during his 22 years on Capitol Hill, we 
thank him for his public service and wish him well.

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