[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 140 (Friday, September 30, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: September 30, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                      TRIBUTE TO I.A. BASSETT, JR.

                                 ______


                          HON. LESLIE L. BYRNE

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 30, 1994

  Mrs. BYRNE. Mr. Speaker, it is my privilege to bring to the attention 
of the House of Representatives one of my constituents, I.A. Bassett, 
Jr., the deputy inspector general for the Department of Labor. Mr. 
Bassett is retiring after dedicating more than 28 years to public 
service. As the deputy inspector general, Mr. Bassett has been 
responsible for the nationwide operations of the Office of Inspector 
General in its role as the independent investigative and audit function 
for the Department of Labor.
  Just prior to his current appointment, Mr. Bassett served 3 years as 
the assistant inspector general for investigations for the DOL where he 
was in charge of investigations involving employee and program 
integrity.
  Following 4\1/2\ years as a commissioned officer in the Marine Corps, 
including decorated service as a combat aviator in Vietnam, Mr. 
Bassett's law enforcement career began in 170 with the Federal Bureau 
of Investigation [FBI] in Kansas City, MO, where he worked fighting 
organized crime. He transferred to the Detroit Office of the FBI in 
1972 where he worked on variety of matters, including bank and 
government fraud, bank robberies, kidnapings, and extortions. During 
his last 2 years in Detroit, Mr. Bassett supervised the labor 
racketeering and public corruption squad.
  Mr. Bassett's final transfer for the FBI was in 1979 when he was 
assigned to FBI Headquarters with supervisory responsibilities in the 
Congressional Affairs Unit. Subsequent assignments included 4 years on 
the Director's staff, 2 years as the program manager for background 
investigations of nominees for Presidential appointments and time as an 
inspector's aide. Prior to accepting the position with DOL, Mr. Bassett 
was an Assistant Section Chief in the Identification Division.
  Public service has long been a tradition in Mr. Bassett's family. His 
great-great-great-great grandfather Isaac Bassett served in the 
Revolutionary War. His great-great-great grandfather Simeon Bassett 
worked as a stone mason to help repair the U.S. Capitol Building 
following the War of 1812 and was later hired as the U.S. Senate 
messenger. Mr. Bassett's great-great grandfather Isaac Bassett was 
appointed by Senator Daniel Webster as the second page of the U.S. 
Senate. He worked his way to messenger and later became assistant 
doorkeeper, earning the reputation as an indispensable Senate employee. 
Mr. Bassett's great grandfather Isaac Albertson was a life-long 
employee of the post office. His grandfather Isaac Albertson also 
served as U.S. Senate page followed by a 46-year career as a private 
investigator for the Navy Yard. Mr. Bassett's father served with the 
U.S. Army during World War II, and Mr. Bassett's brother has recently 
retired after a distinguished 26-year career in the U.S. Navy; 2 years 
ago, Mr. Bassett's daughter followed the family tradition of service to 
their country when she became an auditor with DOL.
  I am extremely pleased to recognize the contributions I.A. Bassett, 
Jr., has made to our country and to the Federal law enforcement 
community. I offer my best wishes to Al Bassett as his career in public 
service comes to an end.

                          ____________________