[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 12]
[Senate]
[Page 16201]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO DON MITCHELL

  Mr. BOND. Mr. President, last week marked the end of a distinguished 
and honorable career in Government service for one of the most widely 
respected professional staff members on the Senate Select Committee on 
Intelligence. Today, I wish to pay tribute to this gentleman--Mr. Don 
Mitchell.
  For over 24 years, Don Mitchell devoted his life to public service. 
Remarkably, except for a 2-year period when he served as the Director 
of Intelligence Programs for the National Security Council, 22 of those 
years were spent here in the Senate, first as a national security 
legislative assistant for Senator John Glenn and then as a professional 
staff member for the Intelligence Committee. Senator Glenn knew a good 
thing when he saw it, so in 1989, he asked Don to move to the 
Intelligence Committee staff. As they say, the rest is history .
  In a world where politics often seems to define who we are and with 
whom we associate, Don transcended those barriers. He earned the 
respect of Members and colleagues on both sides of the aisle. His work 
ethic--often evidenced by long days and late nights--was admired by 
all. It comes as no surprise that Don's reputation is well known not 
only here in the Senate but throughout the intelligence community with 
whom he worked so closely through the years. During my tenure on the 
Intelligence Committee, and in particular since becoming the vice 
chairman, I have benefited from Don's expertise and seasoned judgment 
in analyzing some of our most sensitive national security programs. We 
have been fortunate to have him for so many years.
  We all know that the demands of working here in Congress often take 
the greatest toll on those who support us and sustain us in life--our 
families. For selflessly giving Don to us for so many years, his wife 
Grace, son Logan, and daughter Ella deserve our gratitude. We thank 
them for their sacrifices through these many years.
  Ensuring our great Nation's security is a high calling and one of 
tremendous responsibility. Through his service to the Intelligence 
Committee, the Senate, and the United States of America, Don Mitchell 
has answered this call with characteristic professionalism, integrity, 
and perseverance. We wish him the very best in his future pursuits. May 
God bless him and his family.

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