Floor SpeechCeremonial2024-12-11

RECOGNIZING THE RETIREMENT OF TONY RUSSELL

HealthcareEnvironment

Context

On 2024-12-11, Representative Mike Rogers (R-AL-3) delivered a floor speech titled "RECOGNIZING THE RETIREMENT OF TONY RUSSELL" in the House. The speech addressed healthcare and also covered the environment. It referenced legislation: S176.

Full Text

RECOGNIZING THE RETIREMENT OF TONY RUSSELL

Congressional Record, Volume 170 Issue 184 (Wednesday, December 11, 2024) [Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 184 (Wednesday, December 11, 2024)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E1260] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] RECOGNIZING THE RETIREMENT OF TONY RUSSELL ______ HON. MIKE ROGERS of alabama in the house of representatives Wednesday, December 11, 2024 Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and recognize the retirement of Tony Russell, the Superintendent of FEMA's Center for Domestic Preparedness (CDP) in Anniston, Alabama. As Superintendent, Mr. Russell has provided executive level management and leadership for the CDP, which provides unique, hands-on training to more than 60,000 emergency responders a year from state, local, tribal and territorial agencies. He oversees operations of the CDP's 176-acre campus, which is home to the only training facility in the country where civilian responders can train in a toxic agent environment and the Nation's only hospital training facility dedicated solely to preparing the healthcare, public health and environmental health specialists for mass casualty events related to terrorism or natural disasters. Mr. Russell previously served as the Superintendent of FEMA's Emergency Management Institute. During his tenure at EMI, he was deployed in support of critical agency priorities. In 2012, Mr. Russell assisted with the Superstorm Sandy response and recovery activities in New York. In 2014, he was designated as the Acting Region VIII Administrator, serving as the Senior Executive for all FEMA priorities and requirements in the states of Colorado, Montana, South Dakota, North Dakota, Wyoming and Utah. In 2009, Mr. Russell was appointed by the President as the FEMA Region VI Regional Administrator and served in that capacity until 2012. In this role, he was responsible for all FEMA operational decisions within the states of Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Arkansas and Louisiana. During 2003 and 2009, Mr. Russell served as a Federal Coordinating Officer for FEMA's Region VIII. In addition to his FCO duties, in 2009 he assumed the role of Acting Director of the FEMA Louisiana Recovery Office for Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, Gustav and Ike, with offices throughout the state. He also managed FEMA operations in many complex disaster response and recovery operations across the country, including potential hurricanes in Texas, the Pandemic Influenza Regional Team, and the agency's support to the 2008 Democratic National Convention in Denver, Colorado. Mr. Russell, a former United States Marine Corps Officer, holds an undergraduate degree in political science and management from the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque. He earned two master's degrees from National University in San Diego in the areas of business administration (MBA) and management (MA). He also received a Master of Arts degree in Homeland Security studies from the Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, California, and completed Executive Leadership Education at Harvard University. Mr. Russell is an active member of the emergency management community, including the International Association of Emergency Managers, and holds the designation of Certified Emergency Manager. Mr. Speaker, please Join me in recognizing this milestone for my friend, Tony Russell. ____________________

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RECOGNIZING THE RETIREMENT OF TONY RUSSELL Congressional Record, Volume 170 Issue 184 (Wednesday, December 11, 2024) [Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 184 (Wednesday, December 11, 2024)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E1260] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] RECOGNIZING THE RETIREMENT OF TONY RUSSELL ______ HON. MIKE ROGERS of alabama in the house of representatives Wednesday, December 11, 2024 Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and recognize the retirement of Tony Russell, the Superintendent of FEMA's Center for Domestic Preparedness (CDP) in Anniston, Alabama. As Superintendent, Mr. Russell has provided executive level management and leadership for the CDP, which provides unique, hands-on training to more than 60,000 emergency responders a year from state, local, tribal and territorial agencies. He oversees operations of the CDP's 176-acre campus, which is home to the only training facility in the country where civilian responders can train in a toxic agent environment and the Nation's only hospital training facility dedicated solely to preparing the healthcare, public health and environmental health specialists for mass casualty events related to terrorism or natural disasters. Mr. Russell previously served as the Superintendent of FEMA's Emergency Management Institute. During his tenure at EMI, he was deployed in support of critical agency priorities. In 2012, Mr. Russell assisted with the Superstorm Sandy response and recovery activities in New York. In 2014, he was designated as the Acting Region VIII Administrator, serving as the Senior Executive for all FEMA priorities and requirements in the states of Colorado, Montana, South Dakota, North Dakota, Wyoming and Utah. In 2009, Mr. Russell was appointed by the President as the FEMA Region VI Regional Administrator and served in that capacity until 2012. In this role, he was responsible for all FEMA operational decisions within the states of Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Arkansas and Louisiana. During 2003 and 2009, Mr. Russell served as a Federal Coordinating Officer for FEMA's Region VIII. In addition to his FCO duties, in 2009 he assumed the role of Acting Director of the FEMA Louisiana Recovery Office for Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, Gustav and Ike, with offices throughout the state. He also managed FEMA operations in many complex disaster response and recovery operations across the country, including potential hurricanes in Texas, the Pandemic Influenza Regional Team, and the agency's support to the 2008 Democratic National Convention in Denver, Colorado. Mr. Russell, a former United States Marine Corps Officer, holds an undergraduate degree in political science and management from the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque. He earned two master's degrees from National University in San Diego in the areas of business administration (MBA) and management (MA). He also received a Master of Arts degree in Homeland Security studies from the Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, California, and completed Executive Leadership Education at Harvard University. Mr. Russell is an active member of the emergency management community, including the International Association of Emergency Managers, and holds the designation of Certified Emergency Manager. Mr. Speaker, please Join me in recognizing this milestone for my friend, Tony Russell. ____________________