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[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1607]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
TRIBUTE TO LESLIE ALBRIGHT
______
HON. KAY GRANGER
of texas
in the house of representatives
Wednesday, December 18, 2019
Ms. GRANGER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Leslie Albright, a
member of the professional staff of the House Appropriations Committee,
who plans to retire after 17 years with the Committee.
Leslie, who earned a bachelor's degree in journalism from the State
University of New York in Plattsburgh and a Master's degree in Public
Affairs from Boston University, started her Federal career in 1991
working for the U.S. Travel and Tourism Administration. She later went
on to become a management and budget analyst for the Department of
Commerce.
In 2001, Leslie joined the House Commerce, Justice, State
Appropriations Subcommittee where she was responsible for funding and
oversight of the Department of Justice. In the wake of the horrific
terrorist attacks that happened on September 11th of that year, Leslie
and Chairman Wolf worked tirelessly to ensure that the Department of
Justice, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in particular,
had the resources necessary to protect the nation. Leslie's efforts
helped reform the FBI from an organization focused on criminal
investigations into an intelligence organization capable of addressing
today's security threats.
Leslie's work protecting our nation did not end with the FBI. She
went on to work for the Defense Subcommittee where should focused on
national security programs.
After having her son, Marion, Leslie worked for the Committee's
Surveys and Investigations staff where she conducted programmatic
reviews of the Departments of State and Veterans Affairs and the U.S.
Capitol Police.
In 2011, Leslie rejoined the Commerce, Justice, Science Subcommittee.
Here she worked to improve fisheries management, weather forecasting,
disaster response and protection of intellectual property rights. She
also worked with the National Science Foundation to increase the amount
of basic research conducted in the United States and worked with the
National Space and Aeronautics Administration (NASA) on space
exploration. Leslie and Chairman Culberson worked not only to ensure
that NASA had the resources required for a robust space exploration
program but challenged NASA to develop executable and achievable plans.
When NASA returns to the Moon, explores Mars, and finds life on another
planet or the Jupiter moon, Europa, know that Leslie helped lay the
ground work for these missions to be developed and appropriately
resourced.
In 2019, Leslie became the Republican Clerk of the Defense
Subcommittee. It is in this position that I began working closely with
Leslie. In short amount of time, she became an expert on the operations
of the Defense Department and has been a critical advisor to myself and
Ranking Member Calvert.
I am very thankful for Leslie's hard work, over numerous years and at
great sacrifice to her family, to support the Appropriations Committee
and operations of the Federal government. Leslie's contributions have
improved so many Federal programs and agencies. She has protected our
nation from countless threats, advanced science in America, and pushed
NASA to dream big and inspire the nation.
I know Leslie is looking forward to spending more well deserved time
with her family. We wish her well, thank her for everything she has
done for the country, and know that she will excel at any future
endeavors she pursues.
____________________
