[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 5 (Tuesday, January 17, 2012)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Pages E21-E22] HONORING CHARLES T. ``CHUCK'' KENNEDY ______ HON. C.A. DUTCH RUPPERSBERGER of maryland in the house of representatives Tuesday, January 17, 2012 Mr. RUPPERSBERGER. Mr. Speaker, I rise before you today to honor Mr. Charles T. ``Chuck'' Kennedy on the occasion of his retirement with the National Security Agency, NSA, after 31 years of distinguished service. As Chief of the Office of Contracting at NSA, Mr. Kennedy has been responsible for about 36,000 contracting actions per year. His expertise has been used in joint NSA initiatives with other countries and foreign contractors. Mr. Kennedy is also a member of NSA's Power, Space, and Cooling Triage Team. This cross-functional team, made up of leaders throughout the NSA Washington Enterprise, ensures that high- priority mission requirements receive the necessary power and cooling to function. Mr. Kennedy is also a member of the Office of the Director of National Intelligence Procurement Executive Council. This interagency team examines procurement challenges, helps streamline processes and establishes contracts. Mr. Kennedy spent his entire career in the contracting field, graduating from his internship in 1983. Over the years, Mr. Kennedy progressed through various management levels that included Chief of the Signals Intelligence Directorate/Research & Development Contracting Office, Chief of the Information Technology Enterprise Contracting Office, Chief of the Mission Support Contracting Office and Chief of the Cost and Economic Analysis Contracting Office. Mr. Kennedy is a recipient of the Meritorious Civilian Service Award. This is NSA's second highest honorary award, given only to extraordinary individual achievements of major significance to NSA, the Department of Defense, or the United States Government. Mr. Kennedy holds two Masters of Science Degrees, a Bachelors of Science Degree and is a graduate of the NSA Senior Cryptologic Course. His certifications include Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act Certified Level 4--Acquisition Corps and NSA Logistician. He holds an unlimited Contracting Officer warrant. Mr. Kennedy and his wife Patti have been married for 34 years. They have three sons and three grandchildren. Mr. Speaker, I ask that you join with me today to honor Mr. Kennedy. His long and dedicated service to the United States government is an inspiration to all of us. It is with great pride that I congratulate Mr. Kennedy on his retirement and wish him the best of luck in the future.