[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 100 (Monday, July 15, 2013)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5684-S5686]
TRIBUTE TO MICHAEL J. MORELL
Mrs. FEINSTEIN. Madam President, on behalf of Senator Chambliss and
myself we wish to recognize and pay tribute to Mr. Michael J. Morell,
Deputy Director of the Central Intelligence Agency, CIA, who will leave
his current position on Friday, August 9, 2013, and retire at the end
of September. Mr. Morell's career spans over 33 years in the CIA during
which he distinguished himself as a patriot, leader, and friend of the
Senate.
Michael Morell deserves the gratitude of the entire Nation for his
three decades of selfless service at the CIA.
An Ohio native, Mr. Morell received a B.A. degree in economics from
the University of Akron in 1980 and an M.A. in economics from
Georgetown University in 1984.
Since joining the CIA in 1980, Michael's talents lifted him from
being an analyst covering international energy issues to some of the
toughest assignments that the CIA has to offer: Presidential Briefer,
Associate Deputy Director, Director of Intelligence, Deputy Director,
and toughest of all, twice he was called upon to serve as Acting
Director. In each assignment, Michael provided exemplary leadership for
the men and women of the Agency and demonstrated he was someone who
knew how to manage operations, sharpen analysis, invest in new
technologies, and assure the smooth functioning of the entire CIA
workforce.
As the President's Daily Briefer, Michael was at President Bush's
side on that horrific day in September 2001. He was there at President
Obama's side as Deputy CIA Director when the United States brought
justice to Osama bin Ladin in May 2011. These are only two examples out
of many where Michael helped guide the Agency and the Nation through
some of the most complex and challenging times in our recent history.
As the Acting Director and Deputy Director of the Central
Intelligence Agency, Michael has had frequent interaction with Senators
and staff of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence. His
professionalism, mature judgment, frank and sage advice, and
interpersonal skills earned him the respect and confidence of the
committee. His sound judgment and candor also directly contributed to
his successful representation of the CIA's interests before the
committee and Congress.
As the chairman and vice chairman of the Senate Select Committee on
Intelligence, we have had additional opportunities to see Michael's
contributions to this Nation. We cannot speak of them here, but the
American people should know that his service goes beyond the public
record, and has spanned the globe.
Throughout his career, Michael Morell demonstrated a profound
commitment to our Nation, selfless service
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to the CIA, deep concern for Agency officers and their families, and a
commitment to excellence. Michael is the consummate intelligence
professional whose performance personified those traits of courage,
competency, and integrity that our Nation expects from its professional
intelligence officers.
Mr. President, we ask our colleagues to join us in thanking Mr.
Michael Morell for his honorable service to the Central Intelligence
Agency and the people of the United States. We also thank Michael's
wife Mary Beth and his children, Sarah, Luke, and Peter, for their
support and understanding, as well as their sacrifices in allowing
Michael to selflessly commit himself to protecting our Nation against
those who would do us harm.
We wish the Morell family all the best in the future.
TRIBUTE TO TIMOTHY P. IRELAND
Mrs. FEINSTEIN. Madam President, on behalf of Senator Chambliss and
myself we wish to recognize and pay tribute to Mr. Timothy P. Ireland,
Deputy Director of the Office of Congressional Affairs, OCA, at the
Central Intelligence Agency, CIA, who is retiring after a long and
distinguished career of government service.
Tim is not well known to the American people, but his quiet service
and unflappable demeanor here made him a friend to the Intelligence
Committee and staff
After graduating from the University of Southern California in 1970
with a bachelor's degree in international relations, Tim continued his
education, earning a master's degree and Ph.D. from the Fletcher School
of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University. After teaching for 2 years,
Tim joined the Central Intelligence Agency in 1981, as an officer in
the Directorate of Intelligence, focusing on European political and
military affairs.
Tim worked in a number of analytic and management positions in the
Directorate of Intelligence, authored a National Intelligence Estimate,
and served on the President's Daily Brief staff.
Throughout his career, Tim worked in both policy and intelligence
community positions. He spent 2 years in the Department of State's
Bureau of Political-Military affairs working on arms control and
strategic defense issues. For nearly 4 years he worked in the National
Intelligence Council. Tim entered the field of resource management in
1991 with a tour in the Office of Comptroller. He subsequently served
in senior resource management positions in the Directorate of
Intelligence, the Office of the Chief Information Officer, and the
Office of the Chief Financial Officer, CFO.
In this last capacity, Tim proved invaluable to the committee in
understanding the CIA's programs and finances, giving direct, accurate
answers to difficult questions. Twice, Tim served as the Acting
Director of the Office of Congressional Affairs, serving as the CIA's
primary interface with congressional oversight committees, leadership,
and Members. While serving in the offices of OCA and CFO, Tim was known
for keeping the Congress fully and currently informed.
In these capacities, Tim had frequent interaction with Senators and
staff of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence. His
professionalism, thoughtfulness, and frank responses earned him the
respect and confidence of the committee. His friendly demeanor and
candor helped him successfully represent the CIA's interests before the
committee and Congress.
Tim Ireland throughout his career has shown a deep commitment to our
national security, proud service to the CIA, and a calm yet thorough
performance in his work. His more than 32 years of service as an
intelligence officer has helped to keep our Nation and its citizens
safe.
Mr. President, we ask our colleagues to join us in thanking Mr. Tim
Ireland for his honorable service to the Central Intelligence Agency
and the people of the United States. We also want to thank Tim's wife
Andy for her support and understanding, as well as her sacrifices in
allowing Tim to selflessly commit himself to protecting our Nation.
We wish Tim and Andy Ireland all the best in the future.
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