[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 126 (Tuesday, August 1, 1995)]
[House]
[Pages H8125-H8126]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                        TRIBUTE TO KEITH JEWELL

  (Mr. OBEY asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. OBEY. Mr. Speaker, I would also like to express appreciation to 
Keith Jewell for the wonderful service that he has provided this House 
through the years.
  Many a time constituents have come to the Capitol, they have come to 
the Capitol steps. They wanted to have their picture taken with their 
Representatives, and Keith Jewell has been there, Johnnie on the spot, 
to try to provide that service both to us and to the people we 
represent.
  Mr. Speaker, he has recorded a significant portion of the history of 
this House. It has been a familiar sight to see him weighed down with 
four or five cameras, straps hanging around his neck, camera bag at his 
side, racing around this building and racing around Capitol Hill trying 
to do a decent job for us all.
  Mr. Speaker, we very much appreciate the graciousness with which he 
has performed that task and the reliability he has always demonstrated, 
and we are going to be very sorry to see him go.
  Mr. MARTINEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to praise the director of the 
House Office of Photography, Mr. Keith Jewell. As my colleagues know, 
this is Keith's last day as an employee of the House.
  Keith first began his employment with the House in 1966, and was 
promoted to his current position of Director on July 29, 1982. 
Throughout this time, Keith has provided exceptional service and 
dedication to Members of the House.
  While I am saddened by his departure, I know that Keith is most 
anxious to spend time with his two grandchildren. I am especially 
pleased that Keith will be able to spend more time enjoying one of his 
true passions--sailing. Most importantly, I believe this will give him 
the opportunity to reflect on a very outstanding and rewarding career.
  Keith's dedication to the House will certainly be missed, but I wish 
him well on his future endeavors.
  Mr. BLILEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak of a man who is a 
walking history book of the U.S. House of Representatives, Keith 
Jewell. With his ever-present camera around his neck for almost three 
decades, Keith has not only served this institution with distinction, 
but he has often been the only friendly familiar face in these hallowed 
halls.
  Keith's professional demeanor is unmatched in his swift response to 
Members' needs and those of the often-hurried staff member. His ability 
to accomplish the occasional miracle--like producing a photo that meets 
the approval of my entire staff--has earned him the respect of Members 
from both sides of the aisle.
  With a steady hand and a sharp eye, Keith has focused on many a 
debate in the House--through the smooth waters of agreement and the 
stormy seas of dissent. But, through it all, this loyal public servant 
has stayed the course--offering assistance and good humor to all along 
the way.
  However, Mr. Speaker, what has distinguished this gentleman the most 
in his years of service is his devotion--his devotion to capturing what 
is best in the House, while others only would see the bad; his devotion 
to guarding the history of the Capitol not only for its members but for 
all Americans; and finally, his devotion to a pictorial history has 
been a constant source of inspiration to all those who may have 
forgotten the true meaning of public service.
  It has been a pleasure to work with such a fine gentleman, and his 
presence in this body will be greatly missed. Thank you, Keith, for 
your tireless efforts and your loyal commitment to service--your hard 
work certainly did not go unnoticed.
  Mr. MOAKLEY. Mr. Speaker, I wish that I could be with the entire 
House today as the House pays tribute to one of its own, Keith Jewell. 
As we all know, Keith is retiring after almost 30 years of service to 
the institution and the men and women who have comprised the 
institution as we have known and loved it over the years.
  Keith Jewell is the epitome of good staff. Ready to serve, diligent, 
friendly and gregarious, Keith consistently made all of us look good as 
he trained the lens of his camera on us and legions of constituents. 
His patience, unflappability, and trained eye turned the most hectic 
moments into memorable times. I personally will miss Keith as a friend 
and colleague, and I know I speak for this Congress and the last 15 
Congresses in wishing Keith well in his new challenge.
  Keith Jewell will always be a welcome face in my office and in my 
home.
  Mr. STOKES. Mr. Speaker, in just a few days, Congress will adjourn 
for the August district work period. As we prepare to depart 
Washington, I want to join in a special tribute to a valued employee 
who is retiring from this institution. Today, Keith Jewell, Director of 
the Office of Photography, will leave his post after nearly three 
decades of service. I rise to join my good friend from Michigan, John 
Dingell, and others in the Chamber, in saluting Keith on this occasion.
  As the official House photographer, many would refer to Keith Jewell 
as the visual recorder of historic events. Indeed, few Members of 
Congress and congressional staff can match Keith's impressive career 
record. He began his career as a House photographer in 1966, and fondly 
recalls that the first official photograph he snapped was that of our 
former colleague, Jack Brooks. Keith Jewell served this body under a 
total of six Spealers of the House, beginning with Speaker John 
McCormack. He has served under just as many Presidents, beginning with 
Lyndon Johnson to the Nation's current leader, President Bill Clinton.
  Mr. Speaker, Keith Jewell has also captured on film the historic 
visits of world leaders and foreign dignitaries to the Halls of 
Congress. His photographic files includes the visits of President Anwar 
Sadat, Prime Minister Menachem Begin, Queen Elizabeth, and President 
Nelson Mandela, just to name a few. It is also interesting to note that 
Keith was the first photographer permitted to take a still photograph 
of the House of Representatives during a joint session of Congress.
  The Office of Photography, on average, is responsible for 19,000 
photographic appointments per year. As Director, Keith Jewell has done 
an excellent job of supervising a staff of five individuals, all of 
whom have at least 5 years of service to the Congress. Throughout his 
career, Keith has exhibited the highest level of professionalism. He is 
competent, reliable, and dedicated. I can say without reservation that 
each of the individuals under Keith's supervision possess those same 
qualities.
  Mr. Speaker, as he departs his post as Director of Photography, I 
take this opportunity to express my deep appreciation to Keith Jewell. 
Over the years, I have known him to be an exemplary employee of the 
House. His demeanor was always pleasant and he was always cooperative 
in assisting Members in accommodating their constituents. Oftentimes, 
he had to look for special photographs for us. He always responded 
willingly, no matter how tedious the task. I am proud to extend my best 
wished to Keith Jewell. He will always be remembered for his 
outstanding service to the U.S. Congress and the Nation.
  Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker. I would like to take this opportunity to 
honor Keith Jewell, Director of the House Office of Photography, on his 
announced plans to retire.
  Keith has contributed almost 30 years of service as the official 
visual recorder of events of the House of Representatives. He has 
served under six Speakers of the House and has traveled with 
congressional delegations on several trips, including a trip to Saudi 
Arabia during the Gulf war. Keith has witnessed first hand some very 
important events in our Nation's history and has documented these 
events for the world to see.
  As all of us know, Keith has always been there when you needed him. 
He keeps a full schedule--19,000 appointments a year I am told. But 
Keith has always managed to find the time in his schedule to be there 
when an important, unforeseen occasion needed his special attention.
  Keith, I am sorry to see you go, although I certainly recognize your 
retirement is well-deserved.
  The house is losing a fine and loyal public servant. I wish you every 
happiness on your retirement. Enjoy.
  Mr. de la GARZA. Mr. Speaker, every time I stand in this Chamber I 
think about it's grand history and how privileged I am to serve in this 
illustrious institution. Today we gather to pay tribute to someone who 
in his own way is an institution himself--Keith Jewell, Director of the 
House Office of Photography.
  For a great number of my colleagues it is hard to remember a time 
when Keith was not here. Having started in 1966, the year after I came 
to Congress, he has been a part of our every day lives for almost 30 
years. In that 

[[Page H8126]]
time has served as the official documenter of so many of our 
activities--both grand, momentous historical events, and also the 
small, intimate moments that mean so much personally to each of us. He 
has done this in an exemplary fashion.
  Keith Jewell has been an integral part of the operation of the House. 
He has contributed to its running more efficiently and has always been 
a welcome and engaging presence. I think I speak for a great number of 
us when I say that he has touched all of our lives.
  Let me say thank you for a job every well done. We're going to miss 
you.
  Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, Keith Jewell has lived up to his name. He 
is really a jewel. I watched his entire career here in the House of 
Representatives and he has always done his job to perfection. I have 
never seen him without a smile and a willingness to be helpful. His 
works will outlast all of us.
  I regret that he has decided to retire, but I wish him good luck and 
thank him for his fine professional service.
  Mr. QUILLEN. Mr. Speaker, I want to express my deepest appreciation 
to Mr. Keith Jewell, the Director of the House Office of Photography, 
for his unprecedented dedication and hard work for this body. I first 
remember meeting Keith in the Capitol when he was a photographer with 
another legend in the House Office of Photography, Director Dev O'Neil. 
Since that first meeting, Keith and I have become friends and his 
service to me and the constituents of my district has been invaluable. 
As many of you know, Keith will be retiring today from his post after 
almost 30 years of service.
  Thirty years is a long time, and Keith is probably one of the few 
people who have been here as long as I have. We have seen seven 
different U.S. Presidents and many sessions of the U.S. House of 
Representatives come and go. From the landing of American astronauts on 
the Moon to the fall of the Berlin Wall, these 30 years have produced 
much change, but certain special people endure.
  Only once in a great while does an individual come along who can 
really make an outstanding difference. I know that my constituents 
would not feel as if they had a full experience in Washington without 
one of the photographs produced by the House Office of Photography. I 
know that all of the special events and meetings in this body would not 
be the same without the direction of Keith.
  They thank you, and I thank you, and we all regret to see you leave.
  

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