[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 62 (Thursday, April 13, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E305]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING THE SERVICE OF JOHN O'CONNOR FOR HIS WORK IN THE FIELD OF 
        HEALTH COMMUNICATION AT THE CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. NIKEMA WILLIAMS

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 13, 2023

  Ms. WILLIAMS of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate 
Mr. John O'Connor on an outstanding career with the Centers for Disease 
Control and Prevention as he retires as Associate Director for 
Communication Science at CDC's National Center for Emerging and 
Zoonotic Infectious Diseases. While he will be greatly missed, he 
leaves behind a legacy of excellence in his work and as a mentor to 
others. Over the past three decades Mr. O'Connor has been a leader in 
the health communications space and has developed a high-quality 
foundation that will continue to be built upon in the near future.
  After earning his undergraduate degree from the University of 
California Santa Barbara and a master's degree from the University of 
Oregon School of Journalism and Communications, Mr. O'Connor began his 
career at a nonprofit organization that worked to improve health 
conditions for American Indians and Alaska Natives. In 1989, Mr. 
O'Connor joined the CDC and set the standard for communications 
regarding infectious diseases and public health emergencies.
  Over his more than 30 year tenure with CDC, Mr. O'Connor has served 
at the National Center for Infectious Diseases (NCID) Office of the 
Director, NCID's Division of Viral and Rickettsial Diseases, the 
Influenza Coordination Unit within CDC's Coordinating Center for 
Infectious Diseases (CCID), the Pandemic Influenza Task Force, National 
Center for Preparedness, Detection, and Control of Infectious Diseases, 
CDC's National Center for Health Marketing, and various other CDC 
committees along the way.
  Throughout his career, Mr. O'Connor has been a reliable and 
knowledgeable leader in times of crisis, providing essential guidance 
and emergency response during outbreaks of Anthrax, Zika, Ebola, and 
most recently, COVID-19. His dedication, respect, and true 
professionalism have helped protect public health and earned him a 
lasting legacy and impact at CDC.
  Mr. O'Connor will be deeply missed. He is a true public servant and I 
am grateful for his service to Atlanta, CDC, and our country.

                          ____________________