Washington, DC – The International Republican Institute (IRI) today announced that Congressman Jake Ellzey, U.S. Representative from the Sixth Congressional District of Texas, will be joining its Board of Directors and that David Kramer is retiring from the Board.
“I couldn’t be more pleased to welcome Congressman Ellzey of Texas to IRI’s Board,” said IRI Chairman U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan. “Congressman Ellzey is a patriot. He understands why the fight for freedom around the world is so important to American interests. His experience, commitment to the cause of liberty and his leadership are a tremendous asset to IRI and to our country.”
“I am honored to join the International Republican Institutes’ Board of Directors,” said Congressman Ellzey. “Throughout my career, I’ve been committed to defending freedom both during my time in the U.S. Navy and now as a Member of Congress. I look forward to contributing to IRI’s mission of advancing freedom and confronting authoritarian regimes worldwide. At a time when the world looks a lot like it did in 1938, and the battle between democracy and tyranny is being waged on the global stage, IRI’s work is more critical than ever.”
“Congressman Ellzey is a warrior who believes in peace through strength – and understands what is at stake in the free world’s campaign to deter and defeat authoritarian aggression,” said Dr. Daniel Twining, President of IRI. “We appreciate his support for IRI’s mission and his service to the cause of freedom.”
IRI also thanks David Kramer, a former Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor (DRL) and retiring member who first joined the Board in 2018.
“David Kramer is a principled and unyielding champion of freedom. We are incredibly grateful to David for his leadership to expand democratic dignity and political pluralism around the world,” said Twining.
U.S. Representative Jake Ellzey was elected to Congress in 2020 and proudly serves the 6th Congressional District of Texas. He serves on the House Appropriations Committee, which is responsible for the allocation of taxpayer dollars. He was appointed to work on the Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies, and Defense subcommittees which oversee six of the fifteen executive departments. Congressman Ellzey also serves on the House Committee for Small Business.
After graduating from the U.S. Naval Academy, he went on to serve his country for 20 years as a helicopter pilot and as a fighter pilot in F-14s and F/A-18s. He concluded his military service as the Air Boss on the USS Ronald Reagan aircraft carrier. During his career, Congressman Ellzey was deployed nine times, with five combat tours, including a ground tour in support of SEAL Team 5 in Iraq.
For over a decade, he and his wife, Shelby, have been raising their two children in Ellis County, Texas.
Congressman Ellzey joins an impressive group of former and current public servants on IRI’s Board.
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