[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 101 (Thursday, June 12, 2025)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E565]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    TRIBUTE TO CHANCELLOR JOHN SHARP

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MICHAEL T. McCAUL

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 12, 2025

  Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor one of my dearest friends, 
John Sharp, as he retires from his role as Chancellor of the Texas A&M 
University System.
  Texas A&M holds a special place in my heart. While I did not have the 
opportunity to attend A&M, I consider myself an honorary Aggie, having 
married into a committed, Aggie-loving family. My father-in-law, Lowry 
Mays, dedicated much of his life to Texas A&M. I will never forget 
looking into his eyes as he beamed with pride when I told him I would 
be representing College Station. Lowry was on the Texas A&M Board of 
Regents when Chancellor Sharp came on as University Chancellor. Though 
he passed away a couple of years ago, I know he would be overwhelmed 
with joy and pride to see all the ways A&M has grown and changed in 
recent years--and that is because of Chancellor John Sharp's 
leadership.
  When A&M was drawn into my district, Chancellor Sharp and I 
immediately hit it off. We not only created an incredible partnership 
between the University System and the United States Congress, but we 
also forged a powerful friendship. He and I made a great team, and it 
has been an honor to work with him and Texas A&M to bolster our 
national defense. Together, we helped establish the Texas A&M 
Semiconductor Institute, expand both the RELLIS Campus and the Bush 
Combat Development Complex, and most recently, secure congressional 
funding to build the Ballistic, Aero-optics, and Materials Range 
facility, which will dramatically strengthen our military's 
understanding of war strategy and defense tactics. Within the last year 
alone, I've had the privilege of helping A&M execute Chancellor Sharp's 
vision, providing nearly $40 million in Congressional funding for 
dozens of essential services and research opportunities throughout the 
system.
  Everyone who knows Chancellor Sharp knows he is a man of 
extraordinary vision--and he is just as much ``action'' as he is 
``talk.'' He knows how to execute visionary ideas with excellence and 
purpose. He also has a great sense of humor and a very unique 
vocabulary.
  No one has done more to transform, expand, and elevate the Texas A&M 
University System than Chancellor John Sharp. His visionary leadership 
has ensured Texas A&M will lead the Nation in academics and national 
security for decades to come. He leaves behind a strong legacy, with a 
profound and lasting impact on the A&M system, the hundreds of 
thousands of students who studied during his tenure, our Nation's 
military and defense sectors, and so much more.
  On behalf of myself, my wife Linda, and the entire Aggie community, 
let me say, ``thank you.'' While his leadership will be greatly missed, 
his impact on Texas A&M will live on for generations. Gig 'Em Aggies.

                          ____________________