[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 160 (2014), Part 7]
[Senate]
[Page 10307]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO JEFFREY HOWARD

  Mr. CHAMBLISS. Mr. President, I wish to pay special tribute to 
Jeffrey R. Howard, a key member of my staff on the Select Committee on 
Intelligence for his distinguished service to the Senate. Jeffrey will 
leave us shortly to join the new office being opened by Ionic Security 
in Maryland, where he will serve as the chief technology officer's 
chief of staff. I am honored to have the opportunity to publicly thank 
Jeffrey and note my appreciation for his outstanding service to the 
Select Committee on Intelligence during the past 4 years.
  Since becoming the vice chairman of the committee in 2011, I have 
often relied upon Jeffrey's impressive technical expertise and teamwork 
skills on a wide range of oversight issues. He has provided us with his 
expert advice in matters relating to science, technology, and 
engineering, including cybersecurity, oversight of the National 
Security Agency, and information technology programs.
  Jeffrey is well known on the Hill and by the private sector as one of 
the leading congressional staff experts on cybersecurity legislative 
issues. He has worked tirelessly with my team to develop and negotiate 
legislative proposals consistent with my strong desire to get an 
effective cybersecurity information sharing bill enacted into law. 
During the 112th Congress, Jeffrey was a crucial participant in the 
negotiations that led the ranking members of eight Senate committees to 
co-sponsor S. 2151 and S. 3342, the Strengthening and Enhancing 
Cybersecurity by Using Research, Education, Information, and Technology 
Act of 2012, more commonly known as ``SECURE IT.'' During this 
Congress, Senator Feinstein and I have been working very hard to 
develop a bipartisan cybersecurity information sharing bill that we 
believe will be well-received by the private sector and our colleagues 
in the Senate and the House of Representatives. We are finally quite 
close to being able to mark up our cybersecurity information sharing 
bill and Jeffrey played an integral role every step of the way.
  Jeffrey even has a superpower--he has the ability to translate 
extremely complicated technical topics into clear and concise 
explanations that can be used to solve difficult, real-world problems. 
He is also the undisputed staff champion at documenting the extent of 
his oversight efforts. He has filed more memoranda for the record 
during his tenure than half of the professional staff members combined. 
I dare say that Jeffrey may know more about the National Security 
Agency than some of the senior executives who have served there. 
Jeffrey's inexhaustible work ethic and sound judgment have made him an 
indispensable member of the committee staff and an invaluable resource 
to other congressional committees. His sly wit and good humor make him 
a pleasure to work with. He is the consummate team player who improves 
the performance of everyone around him.
  My colleagues and I trust Jeffrey's judgment implicitly. His 
dedicated public service and exceptional day-to-day performance on the 
job have earned our respect and admiration, and it inspired a 
generation of staff who had the privilege to work alongside him. There 
is no doubt that Jeffrey has a bright future at Ionic Security; 
however, should the right opportunity present itself, I would strongly 
encourage my Senate colleagues to entice him back into public service. 
We will miss Jeffrey deeply, but his legacy will remain a part of the 
Senate Select Committee on Intelligence for years to come.

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