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• Mr. McCURDY. Mr. Speaker, the nature of their work virtually ensures that the contributions made by U.S. intelligence officers to our country will not receive public recognition. With few exceptions, the names of the men and women who hold senior positions in our intelligence agencies are unfamiliar to most Americans, and their careers go unremarked upon except by those with whom they serve.

• On March 2, Richard J. Kerr will retire after 32 years of dedicated public service with the Central Intelligence Agency [CIA]. Dick Kerr, who is currently Deputy Director of Central Intelligence, has had a distinguished career, and I did not want him to take his leave without publicly acknowledging his efforts on behalf of our Nation.

• Dick began his association with the CIA as an analyst, and he brought an analyst's perspective to all of his assignments. His varied career included administration, military liaison, and coordination of intelligence community affairs. These experiences served him well not only within the CIA when he became Deputy Director for Intelligence, but later when he was appointed by Judge William Webster as the Deputy Director of Central Intelligence. In that position, and during his tenure as Acting Director of Central Intelligence, Dick had numerous opportunities to display his considerable talents as a manager and leader.

• The members of the Intelligence Committee are particularly familiar with Dick's dedication to his work, as well as his keen intellect and sharp wit. We have appreciated his cooperative attitude toward oversight of intelligence activities by Congress, which was best reflected by his willingness to facilitate the committee's access to the information it needed to discharge its responsibilities in this area. We respected his professionalism and had confidence in his integrity.

• Mr. Speaker, Dick Kerr has served with distinction in some of the most demanding and important positions in our Government. His was a career of high achievement which should be a source of great pride for him and his family. I want to wish Dick every success as he turns his attention to new challenges.

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