[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 172 (Friday, October 17, 2025)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E966]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             HONORING THE LIFE OF JOHN EVERETT OLIVER, JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. GUS M. BILIRAKIS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 17, 2025

  Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy 
of John Everett Oliver, Jr., a devoted public servant and beloved 
husband, brother, uncle, and friend, who passed away suddenly on 
September 5, 2025, at the age of 75. Born in Washington, D.C., on April 
21, 1950, John was a true Washingtonian who embodied dedication to 
country and community. He grew up in Kensington, Maryland, attending 
Albert Einstein High School, where he excelled on the baseball field.
  After high school, John attended the University of Maryland, College 
Park, and faithfully served his Nation in the U.S. Army Reserves at 
Fort Meade from 1971 to 1977. His professional journey began modestly, 
as a payroll clerk in NOAA's Rockville office in 1973. Over the next 
four decades, through intellect, integrity, and leadership, John rose 
through the ranks to become the Deputy Assistant Administrator for 
NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service, where he managed a billion-
dollar budget and guided thousands of employees. In 1998, John entered 
the Senior Executive Service, where he was called upon time and again 
to lead during times of change and crisis. In 2008, he received the 
prestigious Presidential Rank Award for Meritorious Senior Executive 
Service in recognition of his role as a key architect of NOAA's 
fisheries management strategic plan. He also served at the Office of 
Management and Budget, earning deep respect from his colleagues while 
working on the President's budget. When John retired, the accolades 
poured in, with words like mentor, integrity, key change agent, 
accessible in a crisis, and camaraderie. A former NOAA administrator 
told him he was a ``legend, an institution, and a great American.'' 
That was John's catchphrase when he wanted to praise someone's work: 
``You're a great American.'' To the NOAA community, John was more than 
a colleague and a mentor--he was family. It was at NOAA where John met 
Cheryl, the love of his life. They married in 2004 and together built a 
life full of joy, friendship, and service, eventually retiring in 
Leland, North Carolina. In retirement, John and Cheryl continued their 
commitment to community, supporting charities and educational 
institutions, including East Carolina University's Coastal Studies 
institute. Beyond his professional accomplishments, John was a man of 
passion and warmth. He was a lifelong Washington Redskins fan, 
attending four Super Bowls and nearly every home game for four decades. 
He enjoyed a good cigar, a fine bourbon--particularly Maker's Mark--and 
had a deep appreciation for history, especially the legacy of World War 
II. His travels with Cheryl to Normandy, Berlin, and beyond were a 
testament to his reverence for the sacrifices of those who came before. 
John will be remembered for his big laugh, his gift for friendship, and 
his steady presence that lifted all who knew him. To his colleagues, he 
was a legend; to his family, he was ``Jack''; and to all of us, he was 
a great American.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in extending our deepest 
condolences to John's beloved wife Cheryl, his sisters Joanna Good, 
Lynn Petty, and Caroline Schofield, his nieces, and his extended family 
and many friends. May his memory be a blessing, and may we honor his 
life by carrying forward his example of service, generosity, and 
friendship.

                          ____________________