[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 72 (Monday, May 2, 2022)]
[Senate]
[Page S2242]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      REMEMBERING JAMES K. JACKSON

  Mr. CRAPO. Mr. President, I rise today to remember and honor James K. 
Jackson, specialist in International Trade and Finance in the Foreign 
Affairs, Defense, and Trade Division of the Congressional Research 
Service, CRS. James passed away on February 17, 2022, after a serious 
illness. He had a distinguished career of more than 35 years at CRS, 
serving Congress on international trade and economic policy issues.
  James exemplified the very best of CRS during his decades of direct 
support for Congress. He achieved a remarkable record of accomplishment 
through his work for Members and congressional staff. James played a 
vital role in Congress' consideration of important legislation and was 
well known for his authoritative analysis of critical international 
economic and policy issues before Congress, including on foreign 
investment and reform of the Committee on Foreign Investment in the 
United States--CFIUS--when I chaired the Senate Banking Committee. He 
also was intricately involved in major trade policy legislation and 
debates before the Senate Finance Committee, including its work on 
understanding the economic effects of U.S. trade agreements before 
Congress. My senior staff used to tell me that they had James on speed 
dial during the major reform of the CFIUS process during 2017-2018, a 
testament to James' expertise and assistance on this major legislation.
  There are many more examples of James' authoritative, nonpartisan, 
and objective expertise and analysis for Congress. In addition to being 
an expert on foreign investment and related policies, James had deep 
knowledge of the United States' role in the global economy and most 
recently was the lead CRS expert on the global effects of COVID-19, 
writing and consulting extensively for Congress on this issue. He had 
deep expertise in international economics and trade and was gifted in 
explaining complicated economic issues in a way that those without an 
economics background could understand. During the 2008-2009 global 
financial crisis, James played a key role in helping Congress to 
understand the deep interconnected nature of the crisis and its 
financial and economic underpinnings at work in major economies. His 
work in explaining the economics of trade and trade agreements was 
invaluable, especially during the Senate Finance Committee's 
consideration of major free trade agreements. The breadth and depth of 
James' international economic policy expertise will be truly missed as 
Congress continues its work on these important issues.
  I offer my sincere condolences to James' family, friends, and his 
colleagues at CRS during this difficult time and hope they may take 
comfort in the knowledge of his indelible contribution to the work of 
Congress on international trade and economic policy.
  Mr. BROWN. Mr. President, I also rise today to remember and honor the 
distinguished service of James Jackson.
  For decades, James devoted his time and talent to helping Congress 
understand complex international trade and economic policy issues. I am 
thankful to have been a beneficiary of James hard work. During the 
115th Congress' when Senator Crapo and I served as chair and ranking 
member of the Senate committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, 
the Committee undertook a substantial effort to consider, and 
ultimately enact, legislation that reformed the process for screening 
foreign investment in the United States. As Senator Crapo noted, we 
relied on James' thoughtful analysis and expertise throughout the 
consideration of that important legislation. James briefed staff. 
evaluated proposed legislative language. and provided comprehensive. 
detailed analysis and reports during consideration of the bill. After 
it became law, the committee continued to rely on James to evaluate the 
executive branch's implementation of it.
  I join Senator Crapo in offering my sincere condolences to James' 
friends and family and his colleagues at CRS. They are in our thoughts 
during this difficult time.

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