[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 130 (Thursday, July 27, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E736-E737]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO JOHN MARTENS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. KAY GRANGER

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 27, 2023

  Ms. GRANGER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize John Martens, a 
long-time member of the professional staff of the House Appropriations 
Committee, who has more than 30 years of service working for all 3 
branches of the Federal Government. His dedication to our Nation 
exemplifies the hard work and commitment of an admirable public 
servant.
  John began his career at the Naval Sea Systems Command in 1991 as a 
budget analyst, rotating through various budget and program offices. 
Following his time at the Naval Sea Systems Command, in 1994, John 
became a budget analyst at the Administrative Office of the United 
States Courts, where he performed budget formulation and execution 
activities for the Federal Judiciary and supported the Budget Committee 
of the Judicial Conference of the United States.
  In 2002, John became professional staff for the House Appropriations 
Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, State, Judiciary, and Related 
Agencies. When the House of Representatives switched control in 2007 
and the House Appropriations Committee was reorganized, setting the 
subcommittees to their current form, John moved to the Subcommittee on 
Financial Services and General Government, where he served as Minority 
Clerk and Staff Director until 2010.
  After House Republicans took the Majority in 2011, John led the 
Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government as Majority 
Clerk and Staff Director. At the start of the 114th Congress, John 
returned to the Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science,

[[Page E737]]

and Related Agencies as the Majority Clerk and Staff Director until 
2018. When I became Ranking Member of the Full Committee in 2019, I 
asked John to serve as Minority Clerk and Staff Director for the 
Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government.
  Accumulated throughout his years of service, John's immense knowledge 
and experience earned him the position of Senior Advisor to the House 
Appropriations Committee at the beginning of the 118th Congress. This 
role presented a range of new challenges that I knew he would handle 
expertly, advising me as House Appropriations Chairwoman, the 
Subcommittee Chairs, and the staff--many of whom he intentionally 
trained and mentored.
  John has been an exceptional member of the House Appropriations 
Committee staff for more than 20 years now, with nearly 5 of those 
years on my staff. During his time on the Committee, John has 
successfully developed and implemented strategies for advancing 
legislation through the Committee and the House of Representatives.
  In his various roles, I asked John to work on some of the most 
complex issues, and he secured key legislalive wins during periods of 
divided government and tense political disagreements by finding common 
ground with his colleagues. He has more than demonstrated his ability 
to handle any task put before him.
  It is my distinct honor to recognize John as he leaves the halls of 
Congress and starts his next chapter. It is not the end of a career but 
rather the beginning of a new adventure. After many early mornings and 
late nights as a public servant, I know John is looking forward to 
spending more time with his wife, Gail, and 2 children, Julia and 
James. He will be greatly missed, and I thank him for his dedicated 
service to the United States and wish him the very best.

                          ____________________