[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 198 (Friday, December 1, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1157]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     HONORING THE CONTINUED SERVICE OF COMMANDER CHRISTIAN WOODSIDE

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JOE COURTNEY

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, December 1, 2023

  Mr. COURTNEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 
contributions of Commander Christian Woodside, United States Navy, 
during his service as a legislative fellow in my Washington, D.C. 
office this year. Throughout 2023, Christian has played a critical role 
in supporting my work on the House Armed Services Committee and 
representing the proud Navy community in eastern Connecticut.
  As Ranking Member of the House Seapower and Projection Forces 
Subcommittee, which has the solemn, critical duty of overseeing much of 
our nation's Navy, Marine Corps, and various Air Force programs and 
policies, his perspective was essential to me and my office. Year in, 
and year out, the Department of Defense's legislative fellowship 
program brings highly talented officers to Capitol Hill who provide 
invaluable benefits to Members of the House and Senate and the defense 
committees. Officers, like Christian, bring real-world experience from 
their time in the classroom at the various academies and experiences 
from their time serving on active duty. This year, as our subcommittee 
actively worked to shape our nation's critical shipbuilding programs, 
shipbuilding industrial base development, and Navy and Marine Corps 
readiness through the Fiscal Year 2024 National Defense Authorization 
Act, Christian provided exquisite judgement in navigating the landscape 
of crafting such a large and critical piece of legislation.
  Christian has also seized initiative in a variety of areas beyond 
naval affairs that benefit eastern Connecticut. He worked tirelessly to 
provide insight into our Navy's planned shipbuilding programs, visited 
with leadership at Naval Submarine New London to discuss ongoing 
installation operations, and focused on submarine industrial base 
issues crucial to sustaining the Navy's fleet. He also used his recent 
shore assignment as a resource sponsor at the Surface Directorates as 
the SSDS and Enterprise Test and Evaluation Officer for N96 to provide 
invaluable insight on the Navy's budget process throughout this 
calendar year. Lastly, he engaged in persistent communication with the 
embassies of Australia and the United Kingdom to facilitate various 
engagements in my office and around Capitol Hill and, most importantly, 
leveraged those relationships as the Congress considered legislative 
proposals to execute the trilateral AUKUS security agreement.
  Christian's work ethic, diligence, intelligence, and first-hand 
experience as a Surface Warfare Officer made an immediate benefit and 
memorable impact on my office and subcommittee staff. He was also an 
energetic, affable colleague to my entire congressional staff, willing 
to help in small ways and big ways to serve the constituents of 
Connecticut's 2nd Congressional District. His sense of humor and 
thoughtful comments on issues outside of his Navy portfolio were much 
appreciated by the whole team, and they will be friends for life.
  After traveling across the world with tenures on the USS Doyle (FFG 
39) and USS Stout (DDG 55), and numerous shore assignments including 
Integrated Undersea Surveillance System (IUSS) qualification at Whibdey 
Island in the state of Washington, I am thankful for his family's 
tremendous sacrifice to our nation and for landing in the District of 
Columbia for the current phase of their life. Though Christian's 
presence will be deeply missed by both my personal staff and Seapower 
staff, I know full-well that he will make his presence known as he 
heads to Naval Education and Training Command to serve as Executive 
Officer aboard USS Mahan (DDG 72).
  Mr. Speaker, as has also been the case for each of his predecessors 
that my office has had the opportunity to host, I have benefitted 
greatly from Christian's training and background. This recurring 
process that the fellowship program fosters, strengthens civilian-
military understanding for future leaders of the greatest military in 
the world, which I believe is a necessary component of a strong 
democracy. Our Nation is best served at sea and here onshore by 
officers and leaders of the highest caliber, like Christian. He 
embodies such qualities and has a promising career ahead in continued 
service to our nation, and we owe him such gratitude. I ask that the 
House join me in wishing CDR Christian Woodside, his spouse Leigh Anne, 
and their two daughters, Hannah and Charlotte, the best of luck in 
their next life chapter.

                          ____________________