[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 60 (Thursday, April 3, 2025)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E283-E284]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO MATTHEW BOWER

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. KEN CALVERT

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 3, 2025

  Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to Mr. Matthew Bower 
on the occasion of his retirement from Federal service. Over the past 
22 years, Matt has honorably served the United States in both the 
executive and legislative branches. His service to our Nation 
culminates in an exemplary and dedicated fashion as a professional 
staff member for the United States House of Representatives, Committee 
on Appropriations, Subcommittee on Defense.
  Matt's road to Federal service began with completion of his 
undergraduate degree at St. John Fisher University in Rochester, New 
York, where he majored in Economics with a minor in Finance. Matt 
worked for three years as a private sector accountant and financial 
analyst before joining the Department of Homeland Security in 2003 
where, as a section chief and preparedness officer, Matt was charged 
with interpreting complex program policies and associated congressional 
language, identifying problem areas, and developing effective 
solutions. Little did Matt know that one day he would be on the other 
side of the coin, drafting impactful provisions and making 
recommendations that directly affect departmental policies. Matt would 
continue to rise through the ranks at the Department of Homeland 
Security, achieving the duties of branch chief of risk analysis and 
strategic initiatives, with impact on over $3 billion dollars in 
preparedness grant funding.
  It was at this point, in 2015, that Matt's career would intersect 
with the Committee on Appropriations. As a well-respected analyst, Matt 
earned an opportunity to detail onto the staff of the Subcommittee for 
Homeland Security, chaired at the time by my good friend Judge Carter. 
Matt's accounts included the United States Secret Service, the United 
States Coast Guard, and the Office of Intelligence and Analysis. These 
are some of the most critical agencies overseen by the Homeland 
Subcommittee, and it is no surprise that Matt stood out for his ability 
to perform expert oversight and provide the chairman and clerk with 
sage advice and recommendations.
  Matt's abilities caught the eye of the Defense Subcommittee chairman 
Rodney Frelinghuysen, and Matt's return to the Department of Homeland 
Security was short-lived. In 2016, Matt brought his discerning eye and 
unflappable demeanor to the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, where 
he would stay until the end of his service to our Nation. In his decade 
of service to the Committee, Matt has personally overseen some of the 
most significant and complex parts of the defense appropriations bill, 
including: the Department of Defense's military personnel and operation 
and maintenance accounts, which alone comprised nearly half of the 
bill, or more during the Global War on Terror years; the Defense Health 
Program, which provides critical funds to care for servicemembers and 
their families; and several other accounts where funds are executed for 
everything from demilitarizing chemical weapons to addressing 
unexploded ordnance at current and former military sites.
  However, Matt's last legacy on the Defense Subcommittee will be his 
years of oversight of the United States Army procurement and research, 
development, test and evaluations accounts. As the lead staffer on Army 
issues, Matt had a direct hand in the Army's transformation from a 
counterterrorism-focused force, to one fielding capabilities to support 
the Joint force in a new era of strategic competition with near peer 
adversaries. This included the development and procurement of systems 
such as the Lower Tier Air and Missile Defense Sensor, the Joint Light 
Tactical Vehicle, the Next Generation Squad Weapon, the Long-Range 
Hypersonic Weapon, and numerous upgrades to existing systems such as 
the Abrams tank system enhancement packages. I personally appreciated 
his recommendations on how the Subcommittee should proceed with the 
development and acquisition of the Integrated Visual Augmentation 
System or IVAS, an augmented reality headset. Matt's assessment ensured 
that the Congress retained its power of the purse and held the Army 
accountable for fielding a capable system.

[[Page E284]]

  Over the last 10 years, Matt has consistently proved to be a 
tremendous source of knowledge to the chairs of the Subcommittee on 
both sides of the aisle, the numerous defense clerks, and his staff 
colleagues alike. I am grateful for his counsel as the Subcommittee 
navigated a challenging period for the defense and security of our 
Nation. On behalf of a grateful Nation, I join my colleagues today in 
recognizing and commending Matt for his service to our country and wish 
him the best in his future endeavors.

                          ____________________