Recognizing Chief Warrant Officer Four Williams (Will) Anaab

Floor Speech

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Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Chief Warrant Officer Four, Williams ``Will'' Anaab who served as a Department of Defense Fellow in my office throughout 2023. Last month, he concluded his work with my office, and I would like to thank him for his dedication and service to the more than 765,000 people of Georgia's Second Congressional District. In fact, the impact of his work extended far beyond the geographical confines of my district and Georgia.

He was my lead staffer in organizing the Congressional Military Family Caucus 2023 Summit. This annual, bipartisan event, which I co- host with my caucus co-chair, Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers of Washington and which alternates between Fairchild Air Force Base in Washington State and Fort Moore in Georgia. Will led the charge to organize last year's event which took place in March at the National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center. Bringing together federal department and agency service providers as well as stakeholder groups like Blue Star Families, he created a forum through which we could learn from the insight and experiences of our servicemembers and their families as well as discuss ways in which Congress and the Federal Government may improve their quality of life.

He also became intimately familiar with the nuances and needs of Georgia's military family and veteran communities. Working with my constituent services staff in district, he diligently and compassionately strove to ensure that our federal departments and agencies were doing their utmost to provide the services and benefits servicemembers have earned in defense of our country.

Georgia is home to more than a dozen military bases and installations. They are a vibrant part of our great state's fabric and crucial to our national security. My district, alone, is home to three of these installations--Fort Moore outside of Columbus, Robins Air Force Base outside of Warner Robins, and Marine Corps Logistics Base in Albany. Will was a stalwart advocate for them and was true to the spirit of my office, working in a bicameral, bipartisan fashion to ensure Congress supported these military installations, the programs they house, and the troops as well as civilians who keep them operational and at the ready.

Will also helped facilitate a community forum that I hosted for municipal leaders and airport administers in Thomas County and the surrounding areas to discuss with the Department of Defense concerns about the effects of operations at Moody Air Force Base on local air travel. His work helped bring people to the table, ensure greater understanding and appreciation for the challenges each side faces, and created better lines of communication that I will continue to foster in the years ahead.

The Army Corps of Engineers plays a vital role in Middle and Southwest Georgia and the waterways under its care play a huge role in the well-being of the counties and communities--from Bainbridge to Albany and all of the communities along the Apalachicola, Chattahoochee, and Flint Rivers. Will quickly immersed himself into the issues of local concern that involved the Army Corps of Engineers, and his work was instrumental in helping me bridge the divide between residents, local community leaders, and the Army Corps of Engineers to find solutions to the challenges they face.

While my office has hosted many Department of Defense Fellows over the years, this is the first time that the program has included Warrant Officer participants, and I can say with absolute certainty that the program is better for this. My colleagues and I can only benefit from adding the unique perspective that our Warrant Officers have and bringing their experience to the work we do in Congress.

Will demonstrated an extraordinary ability to grasp complex issues quickly. His calm and poised demeanor allowed him to thrive in the fast-paced political environment of our nation's capital. He became known for his charm and he cultivated a beloved reputation as a smooth operator.

His contributions to our national security are immeasurable, and I am immensely proud to have had him on my team. Undoubtedly, his future endeavors will continue to serve our great Nation with distinction.

It is with great pride that, today, I was able to join Will for his promotion ceremony to Chief Warrant Officer Four. I want to extend my heartfelt congratulations to him as he ascends to this new rank and thank him for his continued service to our country.

I, and my whole staff, appreciate the positive and uplifting spirit Will Anaab brought to the office. I wish him all the best in his next endeavors.

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