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[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E20]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
RECOGNIZING JULIUS (``JULIE'') P. KNAPP
______
HON. FRANK PALLONE, JR.
of new jersey
in the house of representatives
Thursday, January 9, 2020
Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, as we consider this critical 5G security
and supply chain legislation before us, on behalf of Ranking Member
Walden, Subcommittee on Communications and Technology Chairman Doyle,
and Subcommittee Ranking Member Latta, I would like to commend Julius
(``Julie'') P. Knapp for the wonderful contributions to civil service
he has made over his 45 year career.
Mr. Knapp recently retired from his position as the Federal
Communications Commission's (FCC) Chief of the Office of Engineering
and Technology. He is well known in our Committee because he has
testified before us so many times over the years. We could always rely
on his technically precise and straight-forward testimony. Mr. Knapp is
an internationally-recognized expert who is known for his pragmatic and
fair approach, and his ability to explain, in plain language,
engineering issues to policymakers on all sides of an issue.
Julie Knapp's career ran in tandem with the growth of the American
communications industry. In many ways, it was a symbiotic relationship.
He graduated from high school in New Hyde, New York, in 1969, and
received his engineering degree from the City College of New York in
1974. Less than a month later, he joined the FCC. At 22 years old, he
started out certifying radio frequency devices. He then rose through
the ranks to become Chief of the FCC laboratory, then Chief of the
Policy and Rules Division for the Office and Engineering and Technology
(OET), and finally Chief of OET, where he has served with extraordinary
distinction since 2006.
It goes without saying that Julie Knapp could have taken the
extraordinary skills he perfected at the FCC to Silicon Valley or to
one of the trade associations where his work is so well regarded and
appreciated. Instead, he chose to serve the United States through
multiple administrations as a public servant, and his longtime
contributions will make a positive difference for generations to come.
It's not surprising that Mr. Knapp's outstanding work has brought him
numerous awards and accolades within the government and in the
engineering community. In 2012, he received one of the highest honors
for a civil servant, the Presidential Distinguished Rank Award. He also
received the FCC's Gold and Silver awards and the Eugene C. Bowler
award for exceptional professionalism and dedication to public service.
Here in Congress, we have been the fortunate beneficiaries of that
dedication to public service. He has briefed generations of Members and
congressional staffers on the intricacies of how spectrum works and why
we need to harness it with careful consideration. He has provided
significant and substantial input on all of the spectrum legislation
passed by Congress in recent memory.
Mr. Knapp helped usher in the modern age of communications. He played
an instrumental role in helping us make spectrum available to fuel our
nation's economic and innovative growth. If you are accessing a mobile
device right now, using WiFi or buying the latest wireless gadget, you
are likely benefiting from Julie Knapp's work.
Julie Knapp epitomizes the non-partisan ideal of a public servant. As
the leaders of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, we are grateful
for his invaluable longtime service to our nation, and extend our
sincerest thanks to him for dedicating his life to building America's
communications systems.
____________________