[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 113 (Tuesday, July 9, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E701-E702]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   RECOGNIZING COLONEL KENNY CUSHING

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ROBERT J. WITTMAN

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 9, 2024

  Mr. WITTMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Colonel 
Kenny Cushing's honorable service to this Nation.
  Colonel Kenny Cushing retired from our United States Air Force on 
June 1, 2024, after graduating from the United States Air Force Academy 
in 1996 and serving over 20 years on active duty, the Reserves, and in 
the Air National Guard. During his career, Colonel Cushing achieved 
many accolades and impacted our Nation in many ways. Kenny was a 
distinguished graduate from many of his Air Force programs to include 
being the Top Graduate from his intelligence officer school class and a 
distinguished graduate from the USAF Weapons School, the Air Force's 
``Top Gun''.
  Colonel Cushing served in increasing assignments of responsibility, 
to include multiple

[[Page E702]]

deployments, throughout his career. He concluded his career as the 
senior military officer assigned to the new Cybersecurity and 
Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) at the Department of Homeland 
Security. Handpicked by the Department of Defense during the initial 
creation of CISA by President Trump, Colonel Cushing led critical 
interagency coordination of national cybersecurity plans. During COVID, 
he led collaboration efforts between agencies, ensuring smooth flow of 
information, and informed vaccine distribution decisions. Colonel 
Cushing was the Commander of the Cyber Coordination Element for the 
Departments of Defense and Homeland Security for historic President of 
the United States elections in 2020, laying the groundwork for 
successful elections protection. His talent and impact moved us years 
ahead in mission assurance, intelligence exchange, and cyber teaming.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask you to join me in recognizing Colonel Cushing's 
outstanding service. May God bless Kenny in all his future endeavors.

                          ____________________