[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 32 (Tuesday, February 18, 2025)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E137]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   HONORING THE HONORABLE JOYCE CONNERY ON HER EXTRAORDINARY PUBLIC 
                             SERVICE CAREER

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. EUGENE SIMON VINDMAN

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 18, 2025

  Mr. VINDMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor The Honorable Joyce 
Connery, a dedicated public servant who retired from the Federal 
Government on January 31, 2025, after an illustrious career spanning 
several decades.
  Ms. Connery's service to our Nation has been exemplary, culminating 
in her role as Chair of the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board 
(DNFSB). Appointed to this critical position by President Joseph R. 
Biden, Jr. on January 29, 2021, Ms. Connery led the Board in its vital 
mission of providing recommendations to the President and the Secretary 
of Energy on public health and safety issues at Department of Energy 
defense nuclear facilities.
  Her journey in public service is marked by a series of high-profile 
positions that showcase her expertise in nuclear policy and national 
security. Ms. Connery served as the Director of Nuclear Energy Policy 
within the Office of International Economics on the National Security 
Council under President Obama. In this role, she coordinated policies 
and programs related to nuclear safety, security, and trade across 
various agencies. Ms. Connery's commitment to nuclear security extended 
to her work as the Director for Threat Reduction and Nuclear Energy 
Cooperation at the National Security Council. Serving under both the 
Bush and Obama Administrations, she played a crucial role in managing 
nuclear Cooperative Threat Reduction programs and was instrumental in 
organizing the Nuclear Security Summit.
  Her dedication to public service began early in her career when she 
served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Turkmenistan from 1993 to 1995. 
This experience laid the foundation for her future work in 
international relations and nuclear nonproliferation. Throughout her 
career, Ms. Connery has been recognized for her outstanding 
contributions. She received the NNSA's Silver Medal, the Secretary of 
Energy's Distinguished Service Award, and was a finalist for the 2012 
Service to America Medal for National Security and International 
Relations. Her expertise in nuclear policy was further acknowledged 
with a Presidential Citation from the American Nuclear Society in 2013 
and a Meritorious Achievement Award from the Nuclear Infrastructure 
Council in 2015.
  Beyond her professional achievements, Ms. Connery has demonstrated a 
strong commitment to community service. She serves on the Board of 
HopeLink Behavioral Health, as Vice Chair of the Executive Board of the 
Hylton Center for the Performing Arts and is a member of Prince William 
County's Community Safety Advisory Board. Ms. Connery's educational 
background is equally impressive. She holds a Bachelor's degree in 
International Relations from Tufts University, a Master of Arts in Law 
and Diplomacy from the Fletcher School, and is a graduate of the 
University of Virginia's Sorensen Public Leadership Program. In 2023, 
she advanced her passion for serving others by earning a Master's in 
Social Work from George Mason University.
  Ms. Connery's career exemplifies the highest standards of public 
service. Her unwavering dedication to nuclear safety and security, 
coupled with her diplomatic skills and commitment to community service, 
have made our Nation safer and stronger. As she retires from federal 
service, we extend our deepest gratitude for her decades of exemplary 
service and wish her the very best in her future endeavors.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Joyce Connery 
for her remarkable contributions to our Nation's security and well-
being.

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