[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 65 (Friday, April 7, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E840-E841]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                        CANDIS ``CANDY'' SNIFFEN

                                 ______


                       HON. G.V. SONNY MONTGOMERY

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, April 6, 1995
  Mr. MONTGOMERY. Mr. Speaker, on March 28, 1995, I had the bittersweet 
experience of saying goodbye and thank you to Candy Sniffen who retired 
from more than 25-year years of exemplary service on the Veterans' 
Affairs Committee staff. I say bittersweet 
[[Page E841]] because, although Candy was looking forward to a well-
earned period of comparative peace and quite, I know that her 
extraordinary skills, deep dedication to veterans, and expansive 
knowledge of veterans' legislation and programs are nearly 
irreplaceable.
  Candy worked with Mack Fleming, who recently retired as chief counsel 
and staff director of the committee, for 21 years. I want to stress 
that Candy worked with Mack. Theirs was a remarkably effective and 
professional partnership, and Mack would be the first to say that Candy 
was indispensable to him, both as a valued colleague and as a trusted 
friend. When I was told that Candy and Mack were going to retire at the 
same time, it seemed somehow very appropriate to me.
  During her long tenure with the committee, Candy worked under five 
chairmen--Olin Teague, Bryan Dorn, Ray Roberts, Bob Stump, and me. As 
you can imagine, dealing with these very different individuals was a 
challenge, but Candy met this challenge with great grace, and I am 
grateful that I had the benefit of her support and assistance for more 
than 14 years.
  As a working mother, Candy somehow managed to balance all of her 
responsibilities and excel at all she did. At the same time she was 
training at least two generations of committee staff and keeping Mack 
on target, she also raised two beautiful daughters and contributed an 
enormous amount of time to her church.
  Lest anyone think of Candy only as a solemn do-gooder, I am told she 
did a very funny Dolly Parton imitation and knew many ways to bring 
amused smiles to the faces of her fellow staff members. Candy's 
lightness of heart and quick wit frequently served to lessen the 
tension during stressful and sometimes very long days and endeared her 
to her colleagues.
  Candy lived out and acted on her deep, sincere concern for other 
people--both in her professional and her personal life. Her spirit of 
caring and compassion, her professionalism, and her can-do attitude 
touched and improved the lives of countless individuals--many of whom 
will never know how much Candy Sniffen contributed to their well-being. 
On their behalf, then, and on behalf of the other members of the 
committee, I want to say thank you to Candy Sniffen for her dedication, 
her high principles, and her strong character and to wish her well in 
her future endeavors. Our world is a measurably better place because of 
her ideals and commitment.


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