[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 82 (Thursday, May 14, 2026)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E445]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          HONORING ALAN BLACK

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ROBERT J. WITTMAN

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 14, 2026

  Mr. WITTMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Mr. Alan Black on the 
occasion of his retirement from the Naval Surface Warfare Center 
Dahlgren Division (NSWCDD), where he served as Director of Strategic 
Communication and Public Affairs. Over more than forty years, Alan 
Black gave this Nation a career of consistent, consequential public 
service.
  Alan spent 20 years on active duty in the United States Air Force. He 
led public affairs operations during Operation Enduring Freedom, 
Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Operation Noble Eagle, and supported 
humanitarian relief communications following the earthquake in Haiti, 
Hurricane Katrina, and the tsunami in East Asia.
  Since joining NSWCDD in 2015, he has been responsible for all 
communication and engagement programs at a $1.4 billion research and 
development command supporting naval surface warfare, cyberspace 
defense, and emerging technologies. He managed media and legislative 
relations, developed branding strategy, led STEM outreach with regional 
schools and universities, and advised senior leadership on strategic 
communications across the organization.
  Alan Black is known for his professionalism and his investment in the 
people he worked with. He mentored public affairs professionals 
throughout his career, built strong relationships with media and 
community leaders, and was a reliable advisor to the organizations he 
served.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Mr. Alan 
Black for more than 40 years of service to the United States Air Force 
and the Department of the Navy, and in wishing him and his family well 
in retirement.

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