[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 195 (Thursday, December 15, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1305-E1306]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   RECOGNIZING THE EXEMPLARY LEADERSHIP OF ADMIRAL BENJAMIN NICHOLSON

                                 ______
                                 

                     HON. MICHAEL F. Q. SAN NICOLAS

                                of guam

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, December 15, 2022

  Mr. SAN NICOLAS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Admiral 
Benjamin Nicholson for his outstanding leadership as Commander of Joint 
Region Marianas. In June of 2021, Admiral Nicholson was sworn in as 
Commander of Joint Region Marianas tasked with fortifying American 
freedom and democracy in his work to achieve Indo-Pacific Command 
objectives while strengthening Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern 
Marianas, the Republic of Palau, and the Federated States of 
Micronesia. With unwavering focus on the mission of U.S. Indo-Pacific 
Command, Admiral Nicholson goes above and beyond the call of duty with 
his attention to the communities he serves, actively engaging local 
leadership and stakeholders to ensure the welfare of the general 
public.
  Admiral Nicholson's commitment to our Armed Services began in the 
U.S. Merchant Marine Academy where he earned his Bachelor of Science in 
Marine Engineering in 1993. He continued to build his foundation 
earning his master's degree in Systems Engineering from the Naval 
Postgraduate School and a master's degree in National Security from the 
Naval War College. His background spans numerous command positions and 
numerous deployments around the world during his seagoing career.
  Admiral Nicholson has further served in combat tours in Helmand, 
Afghanistan, and

[[Page E1306]]

the Provincial Reconstruction Team and Forward Operating Base in Farah, 
Afghanistan. He also served in numerous ashore billets including 
Executive Assistant to the Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; 
Assistant Deputy Director Middle East Directorate in the Joint Staff; 
Special Operations Support Team to the Federal Bureau of Investigation; 
and head of the professional development section in the Chief of Naval 
Operations staff. His military decorations include the Defense Superior 
Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Defense Meritorious 
Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (three awards), Navy 
Commendation Medal (four awards), Joint Service Achievement Medal, Navy 
Achievement Medal (three awards), Combat Action Ribbon, and various 
campaign and unit awards. He is also a 2015 recipient of the FBI's 
Director's Award.
  As a first on Guam, Admiral Nicholson led unclassified briefings to 
multiple local leadership stakeholders on threats facing the island and 
region, engaging local Mayors, Senators, and Administration officials 
with unparalleled transparency that has served to build awareness of, 
confidence in, and partnership with the objectives of the Department of 
Defense.
  The need to defend the territory of Guam from potential military 
threats is not limited to military establishments under Admiral 
Nicholson's leadership. Recent efforts to secure missile defense 
systems for the territory are taking a 360-degree focus to protect the 
entirety of the island, civilian and military alike, reassuring front-
line Americans that they are protected, and reinforcing our safety and 
suitability to our critical visitor industry.
  The food security and supply chain resilience for the region is 
strengthened in his work with our office to explore the feasibility of 
leasing Department of Defense lands for cattle grazing operations, 
further serving to advance local economic growth and diversification in 
a community that currently relies on over 90 percent of imported 
products.
  With the island in the midst of a housing crisis due to labor 
shortages, material costs, and the tyranny of distance relative to 
American job and resource markets, Admiral Nicholson takes a mindful 
and creative approach in encouraging greater housing inventory to 
mitigate the civilian housing market impact of substantial military 
personnel relocation, and the subsequent growth of military housing 
needs.
  Admiral Nicholson regularly and openly engages to address Veteran, 
Gold Star Family, and military dependent needs for access to amenities 
located within military facilities, deftly navigating the complexities 
of a community seeking greater access to military support in balance 
with the needs of mission viability.
  Poignantly, Admiral Nicholson continues to be an avid partner in 
addressing critical healthcare needs throughout the island and region, 
providing guidance and solutions as the territory navigates the largest 
investment in its history to establish a modern healthcare facility to 
meet modern day healthcare needs throughout Micronesia and beyond.
  The service to the country in the work of Admiral Nicholson is 
nothing short of exemplary, not only in his ability to effectively lead 
and manage the military front lines of America in the Indo-Pacific, but 
to do so in a manner that reflects unprecedented mindfulness of the 
holistic value in building, maintaining, and reinforcing community 
confidence and support critical to mission success
  Madam Speaker, the Department of Defense and the Department of the 
Navy are well served and represented by the command talent of Admiral 
Benjamin Nicholson who is a builder of allies, communities, and 
constituencies. I extend my gratitude to the Admiral for his invaluable 
service to our Nation, and I commend him for his commitment to 
community engagement, civilian well-being, and his mission as Commander 
of Joint Region Marianas.

                          ____________________