Nick LaLota

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. Jason Lynn Potter for his 25 years of outstanding Navy Active Duty and Federal service, including this past year serving as both the Principal Civilian Deputy and Performing the Duties of the Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Research, Development, and Acquisition). Prior to this appointment, he served as the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Ship Programs, where he was responsible for the executive oversight of all naval shipbuilding programs, major ship conversions, and the modernization and disposal of in-service ships.

Mr. Potter began his distinguished career with the Department of the Navy as a naval officer. His assignments included serving as Navigator aboard USS Cape St. George (CG 71), Communications and Repair Officer aboard USS Rushmore (LSD 47), naval liaison to the Joint Special Operations Task Force--Philippines, and analyst on the 2010 Navy Quadrennial Defense Review Integration Group.

Following his military service, Mr. Potter distinguished himself as a congressional professional staff member in the United States Senate for 10 years, serving on both the Appropriations and Armed Services Committees. In these roles, his responsibilities included oversight of Navy shipbuilding; Navy and Air Force procurement accounts; various research, development, test, and evaluation accounts; Defense Production Act purchases; National Defense Stockpile transactions; and defense acquisition law.

Mr. Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to join me in expressing our deepest gratitude to Mr. Jason Lynn Potter for his exemplary dedication to our Nation as he retires from Federal service. Throughout his twenty-five years of public service, both in uniform and as a civilian leader, Mr. Potter has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to the defense of our Nation and the safety of our service members. His profound patriotism, stellar leadership, and tireless work ethic leave an enduring legacy that has strengthened our National Defense.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Jason Lynn Potter for 25 years of outstanding service to our Nation, both in uniform and as a civilian defense leader, and to congratulate him on retirement.

As a distinguished Navy veteran, Jason served aboard USS Cape St. George and USS Rushmore, and on a Joint Special Operations task force in the Philippines.

Following his military service, he served 10 years as a Senate professional staff member on the Committee on

Armed Services and the Committee on Appropriations, providing oversight of naval shipbuilding and procurement.

Most recently, Jason served as Deputy Assistant Secretary for ship programs and Acting Assistant Secretary of the Navy for research, development, and acquisition, where he drove our fleet's modernization.

Mr. Speaker, I ask the House join me in congratulating Mr. Potter as he retires from Federal service. His profound patriotism, excellent leadership, and tireless work ethic leave an enduring legacy that has strengthened our national defense.

Mr. Speaker, during consideration of the National Defense Authorization Act, I inadvertently voted ``aye'' on Grothman Amendment No. 316 when my intention was to vote ``no.''

I regret this error. Had I been able to vote as intended, I would have voted ``no'' on Grothman Amendment No. 316.