[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 104 (Tuesday, August 2, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: August 2, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                 THE RETIREMENT OF MRS. DORIS ELERDING

  Mr. MURKOWSKI. Mr. President, a long time member of my staff, Mrs. 
Doris Elerding, has decided to depart Washington and her service to the 
Senate for what is perhaps the best of all reasons--to be closer to her 
children and grandchildren.
  I rise today to say a few words of tribute to Doris and her superb 
service to me, the Senate, and the people of Alaska.
  Doris moved to Ketchikan, AK, from Bellingham, WA, with her husband, 
Ira Elerding, in 1962.
  Ira had received an offer to work as an electrician at the Ketchikan 
pulp mill, so Ira and Doris decided to go to Alaska for what they 
thought would be an adventure lasting just a few years.
  Once in Ketchikan, attentions turned to raising a family, Doris and 
Ira got involved in the community, and as often happens in Ketchikan, 
the moss began to grow under their feet. They decided to stay.
  I first came to know Doris when I was involved in the banking 
business. Doris was working at the First National Bank of Ketchikan, 
working as a secretary to the bank's president, Bill Moran, Sr.
  Shortly after I was elected to the Senate in November 1980, I 
received a phone call from Doris. Her beloved husband, Ira, had passed 
away, and her boss was getting ready to retire from the bank, so Doris 
was interested in working with me in Washington.
  It is not easy to find Alaskans who are willing to leave Alaska to 
work in Washington, DC, so I told her she could have a job, provided 
she was sure she would like living on the east coast.
  Doris figured it was time for another adventure and reported for work 
in February 1981. She has served as our receptionist ever since.
  In her many years of answering phones, dispensing gallery passes, 
arranging White House tours, and much more, Doris has touched the lives 
of thousands of people, Alaskans and non-Alaskans alike.
  I know that she has touched so many lives because I rarely return to 
Alaska without someone walking up to me and asking: ``How's Doris? 
Please tell her I said hello.''
  It even happens here in Washington. I will be at one of the many 
functions or dinners that we must attend here in Washington and someone 
will often approach to ask: ``How's Doris?''
  In addition to making visiting Alaskans and other visitors feel at 
home, Doris has always kept a watchful eye on the young Alaskans and 
others who have worked for me over the years.
  At one time Doris owned a home here on Capitol Hill that she would 
open up to young people looking to rent a room, or to new staff needing 
a place to stay until they could find apartments of their own. If you 
rented a room from Doris, and were a little late getting home, or were 
a new staffer just arriving on a plane from Alaska, you could always 
count on the fact that Doris would be waiting up for you. Doris often 
took young people under her wing and kept an eye on them.
  Doris' graciousness and willingness to help others is deeply rooted 
in her strong faith and devotion. Many who worship at St. Joseph's know 
Doris from morning Mass.
  You could find Doris there each and every morning--even the morning 
it was icy and she slipped on the sidewalk and broke her ankle.
  It was not too long before Doris was back, in a full leg cast, 
struggling up the stairs to attend Mass once again.
  The final story I will share occurred very recently, after Doris told 
me of her plans to leave.
  It was the evening of the congressional barbecue at the White House. 
My wife Nancy was in Alaska, so I asked Doris if she could accompany 
me.
  Doris did not hesitate. She grabbed her camera and joined in the 
festivities.
  At one point, seated among a table of Senators and other dignitaries, 
she asked what she described as ``a nice young man'' to snap a picture 
of the group with her camera.
  The ``nice young man'' readily and graciously agreed. When someone 
leaned over to Doris and told her that she was having her picture taken 
by the Secretary of Transportation, she shrieked in delight and 
insisted that he join in the picture as well.
  I do not know precisely what the press reported the next day about 
the White House barbecue, but I am able to report to my colleagues that 
Doris was the life of the party.
  Over the years, Doris has taken good care of us. Unfortunately for 
us, the time has come where she has determined that her children and 
grandchildren need her more.
  She ended her service to the Senate on July 10, and is moving to 
Portland, OR to be close to children and grandchildren in Portland as 
well as Sitka and Ketchikan, AK.
  We will miss her, but trust in her ability to keep in touch and visit 
us often.
  Thank you, Mr. President, I yield the floor.

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