[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 197 (Monday, December 19, 2022)]
[Senate]
[Pages S7309-S7310]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO DEAN A. WILLIAMS

  Ms. SINEMA. Mr. President, I rise today to honor supervisory air 
interdiction agent Dean A. Williams for his steadfast service to the 
United States for the past 36 years and to wish him well on his 
retirement from Air and Marine Operations--AMO--U.S. Customs and Border 
Protection--CBP--Department of Homeland Security.
  Born in Indiana and raised in New York City and Oklahoma, Dean 
attended Oklahoma State University and Tulsa Junior College. He earned 
an associate degree in respiratory therapy and later worked in a 
neonatal intensive care unit. Being a patriot and adventure seeker, 
Dean was drawn to military service and joined the Navy to pursue a 
career as a naval aviator.
  In 1986, Dean reported to Naval Aviation Officer Candidate School, 
where he excelled in academics and physical fitness. Upon graduation, 
he was assigned to Naval Flight Training in Pensacola, FL, and earned 
his Wings of Gold. During his time serving on active duty in the Navy, 
Dean distinguished himself on missions, piloting the Navy's medium 
lift, multimission helicopter, the SH-60 Seahawk, and also on several 
deployments aboard naval ships, where he held leadership positions, 
including Aviation Department Head aboard the USS Denver (LPD-9).
  After his honorable discharge from the Navy in 1996, Dean furthered 
his education, earning a bachelor of science from Embry-Riddle 
Aeronautical University. In 1997, he chose to continue his service to 
the United States by joining the U.S. Border Patrol, employing his 
skills as a senior patrol agent and pilot in San Diego and along the 
southwest border. In 2005, Dean became an air interdiction agent 
(pilot) for AMO and was later promoted to supervisory air interdiction 
agent. At AMO, Dean served not only as a skilled helicopter and 
unmanned aircraft system pilot, but also in other integral positions, 
including northern border program manager and critical incident 
response team manager.
  As accomplished as Dean has been in his previous roles, it is in his 
position as a congressional liaison where he excelled the most. In 
2014, Dean was hand-picked by AMO leadership to represent the Agency as 
a member of the Border, Air, and Marine Operations Team at the CBP 
Office of Congressional Affairs. In this role, Dean served as the key 
adviser and subject matter expert on all AMO-related matters before 
Congress, including drafting legislation, responding to congressional 
inquiries, and carefully planning and executing congressional and staff 
delegation visits. He has been a stalwart supporter of AMO policy and 
funding priorities, especially those that support AMO personnel in the 
field. Notably, Dean is recognized as the main driver for the 2016 
passage of Public Law 114-250, which makes all CBP law enforcement 
agents eligible for law enforcement availability pay. His determination 
to pass this legislation earned him respect both at AMO and on Capitol 
Hill.
  In 2017, Dean was selected to serve as an AMO congressional fellow on 
Capitol Hill. He first served in the office of Senator Heidi Heitkamp, 
where he provided subject matter expertise on border security, air 
operations, and unmanned aircraft systems. In 2018, Dean became a 
fellow on the staff of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental 
Affairs Subcommittee on Government Operations and Border Management, 
which I chair. Committee members and staff alike greatly benefited from 
Dean's wise counsel, friendly demeanor, and outstanding knowledge of 
border security, specifically air operations in Arizona and along the 
southwest border. His willingness to share his expertise and to dig in 
on critical policy matters was invaluable to the staff. His high-level 
work added greatly to the overall success of the subcommittee. Although 
he returned to AMO Headquarters in 2020, I am pleased that he continued 
to work closely with the subcommittee and other offices on Capitol Hill 
on AMO matters right up to his retirement.
  Dean Williams' 36 years of devoted service to our great Nation is a 
shining example of a life deserving of our gratitude. His meaningful 
contributions, talent, and endearing sense of humor have enriched us 
all. Dean will be missed, but I am happy to know that he will be able 
to spend more time with his wife Denise and his dog Ace. As they say in 
the Navy, I wish Dean fair winds and following seas in retirement.

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