[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 39 (Wednesday, April 13, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: April 13, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                        TRIBUTE TO EARL CANFIELD

                                 ______


                          HON. JAMES P. MORAN

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 13, 1994

  Mr. MORAN. Mr. Speaker, it has come to my attention that Mr. Earl 
Canfield, chief of the Education and Public Welfare Division of the 
Congressional Research Service, retired on April 1, 1994. I rise today 
to honor Earl Canfield, a widely respected public servant and very 
special man.
  Earl Canfield has given 37 years of outstanding service to the 
country, as a U.S. Air Force navigator, in a number of increasingly 
responsible jobs in the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, 
and for the past two decades, in the Education and Public Welfare 
Division [EPW] of CRS. He joined CRS as assistant chief of the EPW 
Division in January 1974, and because division chief in December 1986.
  Mr. Canfield's division is responsible for research and public policy 
analysis on social programs that account for more than half of the 
Federal budget. This is a daunting responsibility. As one who worked 
with Earl Canfield at HEW and CRS, and as a Member who has come to rely 
on the outstanding work done by the EPW Division, I can attest to his 
ability to live up to this responsibility and to his insistence on the 
highest standards of quality.
  His first priority has always been the effective daily management of 
the Education and Public Welfare Division. His strong leadership, clear 
vision, and concern for his colleagues were instrumental in creating a 
highly effective staff. Fostered by his persistent attention, the EPW 
Division developed excellence in its work on important legislative 
issues. Under his leadership, EPW produced hundreds of reports and 
issue briefs that help all Members fulfill their representational and 
legislative duties.
  Let me cite just a few examples. The widely respected report Children 
in Poverty gave Congress a definitive source book on national issues 
resulting from the problems of poor children. An EPW Division study of 
the Civil Service Retirement System became the accepted standard during 
congressional consideration of proposals that led to the new Federal 
Employees Retirement System.
  Analysis in EPW's Social Service Section provided substantial 
assistance to Members and committees in developing major omnibus 
immigration legislation in 1990. A study by EPW's Education Section of 
for-profit proprietory schools and possible abuse of the guaranteed 
student loan program played a key role in the shaping of the Higher 
Education Amendments of 1992.
  More recently, EPW's work on health care reform issues has placed 
division analysts at the center of technical support for the Congress 
as it undertakes the formidable task of overhauling the Nation's $900 
billion health care system.
  I could mention many other impressive examples of the excellent work 
that has come from the EPW Division under Earl Canfield's leadership. 
Throughout his tenure, he has maintained a commitment to preserving and 
enhancing the best of the division's services and products while 
fostering and encouraging innovation. In addition, he has been an 
ardent advocate for making use of appropriate new information 
technology to encourage the productivity of staff. It is generally 
recognized throughout CRS that EPW is on the leading edge in the 
effective use of the latest technology to improve products and services 
for Congress.
  Throughout his career, Earl Canfield has shared credit for successes 
but never blamed others for problems or difficulties. His philosophy 
has been, simply, that the EPW Division exists to do high-quality work 
for Congress. In all of his endeavors, he has applied energy, spirit, 
sound judgment, keen insight, and dedication to the enhancement of his 
division and CRS as a research and legislative support organization. In 
recognition of his outstanding work, he was given the Library of 
Congress' highest honor, a Distinguished Service Award.
  I know that Earl Canfield carries with him, into retirement, the 
affection and respect of all who know him.

                          ____________________