[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 13 (Thursday, February 10, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: February 10, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                  TRIBUTE TO GAIL MUKAIHATA HANNEMANN

                                 ______


                           HON. GEORGE MILLER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 10, 1994

  Mr. MILLER of California. Mr. Speaker, this week I am losing a very 
valuable member of my staff. Gail Mukaihata Hannemann is leaving to 
join her husband, Mufi, in Hawaii. I will miss her.
  Gail joined the then Interior and Insular Affairs staff in February 
1984 working in the area of insular affairs. The welfare of the people 
living in the U.S. Territories of the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, 
Guam, American Samoa, Palau, Federated States of Micronesia, Republic 
of Marshall Islands, and the Northern Mariana Islands is an important 
responsibility of the Natural Resources Committee. Gail did much to 
improve the quality of life for these people. She was instrumental in 
bringing about the Compact of Free Association for the Island of Palau 
which was bitterly debated for years. She pulled off what I believe 
have been the most evenly balanced series of hearings on the often 
passionate issue of Puerto Rico status.
  After 8 years on the Subcommittee on Insular and International 
Affairs, Gail joined the staff of the general counsel of the committee. 
In this capacity, her knowledge of Congress and House floor procedures 
quickly made her invaluable. Gail's assistance on the Energy Policy Act 
of 1992, budget reconciliation, the waste isolation pilot plant 
legislation was exceptional. Her ability to organize and disseminate 
important information on pending legislation is an asset that has made 
my life a lot easier during tense conference negotiations.
  The word around the committee has always been if you don't know where 
to go to get something--ask Gail. Anything you need from how to get the 
coffee maker working to how to immediately get a memo from some obscure 
office within the executive branch--Gail would have a contact person 
who would help.
  In this town one is often judged by the size and weight of one's 
Rolodex. Gail's is enormous. She has been able to cultivate such an 
impressive list of friends and colleagues willing to work with her 
because of the fairness, honesty, and respect she gives all those she 
comes in contact with. On Capitol Hill, staff as well as Members, must 
have the reputation that their word is true in order to be effective. 
Gail's reputation is flawless.
  Gail Mukaihata Hannemann is also one of the most popular staff 
members I have. She is never too busy to acknowledge an event, happy or 
sad, in someone's life and drop them a note. When it comes to baking 
birthday cakes or other luscious treats, Gail is in a class by herself.
  When Gail leaves for her new life in Hawaii, the Natural Resources 
Committee and the House of Representatives loses a very valuable, 
loyal, hard-working employee. I thank Gail for all the work she has 
done for me and I know that I speak for the entire Natural Resources 
Committee--Members and staff--when I say that our friendship and 
respect travels with you. Aloha.

                          ____________________