[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 4]
[Senate]
[Pages 4611-4612]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                 TRIBUTE TO GEORGE ``CHIP'' WALTER, JR.

  Mr. CHAMBLISS. Mr. President, today I wish to pay tribute to George 
``Chip'' Walter, Jr. Chip, a career veteran of the Navy, currently 
serves as the Director of the Office of Congressional Affairs at the 
Central Intelligence Agency, CIA. As the vice chairman of the Senate 
Select Intelligence Committee, I have had the pleasure to work with 
Chip in this position and have greatly appreciated his professionalism, 
knowledge, and dedication, which has benefited not only me but also 
numerous other Members and staff here in Congress. He is an exemplar of 
public service to our country.
  Prior to his position at the CIA, he held numerous legislative 
affairs positions within the Department of Defense, including director 
of Legislative Affairs for Central Command, which included a year tour 
in Kabul, Afghanistan, as the legislative adviser to the commander of 
the International Security Assistance Force. It was in Kabul where I 
and many other Members met Chip as we traveled on codels to Afghanistan 
at the height of the war. His professionalism and affable nature made a 
great impression on me and others.
  His work with the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence began with 
the nomination and confirmation of GEN David Petraeus to be Director of 
the CIA. Soon after, he was named director of the Office of 
Congressional Affairs at the CIA, where he managed the day-to-day 
relationship between Congress and the Agency. The Congressional Affairs 
position at the CIA is always a difficult job, but these last few 
months have been particularly challenging with the confirmation of a 
new CIA Director, along with implementing lessons learned in the 
aftermath of the September 11, 2012, Benghazi attacks. Chip showed a 
resolute trustworthiness through these difficult times that many 
Members of Congress appreciated. Chip has given much to this Nation 
through his dedicated and selfless service. Let me take a minute to 
recount some of his other accomplishments which include a long and 
distinguished career as a naval aviator, from which he retired as a 
captain in 2011.
  Chip, a native of Sudbury, MA, graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy 
in May 1983. He was designated a naval aviator in 1985. His first 
assignment was in Brunswick, ME, where he served as an instructor 
pilot, mission commander, and formation instructor. During that 
assignment he completed three deployments to the Mediterranean and 
North Atlantic. In the summer of 1989, he reported to Fleet Replacement 
Squadron, FRS, THIRTY in Jacksonville, FL, where he earned the 
designations of FRS instructor pilot, advanced training instructor, 
formation instructor, and alternate naval aviation training and 
operations procedures standardization, NATOPS, evaluator for Naval Air 
Forces Atlantic.
  He served as the flag secretary of Carrier Group TWO in 1991, and in 
October 1992, he deployed in the USS John F. Kennedy Battle Group to 
the Mediterranean in support of OPERATIONS PROVIDE PROMISE and PROVIDE 
COMFORT. In August 1993, he attended the Naval War College, Newport, 
RI, and graduated with distinction in June 1994. In November 1994, he 
reported to Patrol Squadron TEN while deployed to Naval Air Station 
Signorelli, Sicily and later completed a tri-site deployment to 
Keflavik, Iceland; Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico; and Howard Air Force 
Base in Panama, serving as the operations officer. In November 1996, 
Captain Walter began work in the Bureau of Naval Personnel as the 
assistant Washington placement officer.
  Following his tour in the Bureau, he was assigned as the executive 
assistant to the Chief of Navy Legislative Affairs. In the spring of 
2000, Captain Walter reported to Patrol Squadron ONE as the executive 
officer. He assumed command of the ``Screaming Eagles'' Squadron in 
February 2001 and completed a Western Pacific deployment. After his 
command tour, he reported to the Joint Staff and served in the Force 
Structure, Resources, and

[[Page 4612]]

Assessment Directorate, J8, and later as the Chairman's deputy director 
of Legislative Affairs. In September 2005, he was assigned as the 
executive assistant for director of Air Warfare, N88. In June 2006, he 
assumed duties as commander TASK FORCE SIX SEVEN. In addition to 
traditional duties of the commander TASK FORCE SIX SEVEN, he was 
designated commander of the Black and Caspian Sea for Naval Forces 
Europe. In July 2008, he assumed the duties as the director, CENTCOM 
Legislative Affairs. He deployed to Kabul, Afghanistan, in July 2010, 
for a year tour as the legislative adviser to the commander, General 
Petraeus. Captain Walter became director of Congressional Affairs for 
the Central Intelligence Agency on September 26, 2011.
  Over the course of his career, Chip has consistently served in highly 
selective and challenging assignments, demonstrating the quality of his 
character and abilities. Because of men like Chip, we have an able and 
ready military that truly is a global force for good. Throughout his 
distinguished career he has represented our country and Navy with 
dignity and honor, and this is why I am so privileged to pay tribute to 
this fine sailor and American.
  In a few weeks, Chip will be moving on to another assignment. I speak 
for many of us who have worked with him when I say he will be missed 
and not easily replaced. I want to thank his wife, Kim, along with his 
three children, Kristyn, Bethany, and Griffin, who have lovingly 
supported him throughout his career in the military and government. 
Chip, thank you for your distinguished service to our country. I wish 
you and your family Godspeed and continued happiness as you start a new 
chapter in your lives.

                          ____________________