[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 37 (Monday, March 18, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Page S2235]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     COMMENDING JEAN SCHRAG LAUVER

  Mr. CHAFEE. Mr. President, today I come to the floor in what you 
might call a bittersweet mood, and that is to announce to my colleagues 
the retirement of one of our most trusted Senate advisers, Ms. Jean 
Lauver, who has served on the Environment and Public Works Committee 
for over 21 years.
  Together with Senator Baucus, the ranking Democrat, and the entire 
membership of the committee, I send a resolution to the desk to express 
the gratitude of the committee and of the Senate to Jean Lauver for her 
years of service to the U.S. Senate, and will later ask for its 
immediate consideration.
  Mr. President, Jean was born on a farm in Sioux Falls, SD, and 
graduated from Goshen College in Indiana and later received a master's 
degree in education from George Washington University. After serving as 
a school teacher in Puerto Rico, Jean joined the Environment Committee 
staff in 1974. Jean has been with us ever since.

  Anyone who knows her also knows that she is the undisputed expert in 
the Senate on Federal highway issues. Jean and the committee have been 
through scores of pieces of legislation over the past many years. There 
have been some great successes: The Surface Transportation Act of 1987, 
the so-called ISTEA bill of 1991, just to name two. There have been 
scores of tough battles, as well, on transportation safety issues, 
demonstration projects, and billboards on our highways and byways. Over 
the years, I have no doubt Jean has seen it all.
  Yet, after all the hearings and all the bills, the meetings in room 
468 Dirksen and S-211 of the Capitol, what we will all remember most 
about Jean is her unflappable professionalism, her extraordinary 
knowledge and memory, and her dedication to doing a good job for 
Republicans and for Democrats alike.
  Without question, Jean is one of the most extraordinary staffers that 
I have had the pleasure to work with. So it is with great admiration 
that we wish Jean and her husband, Hesston, and their son, Jason, all 
the best in their future endeavors. I might add that Jean and her 
family are off to a new challenge, and that is owning and operating a 
bed and breakfast in Goshen, IN. If Jean's service to the Senate is any 
indication, you can be sure that the Prairie Manner B&B in Goshen will 
be top notch. I am tempted to give a telephone number of the new B&B, 
but that might be considered advertisement. For anybody that is 
interested, I have her telephone number for the B&B they are 
establishing called the Prairie Manner in Goshen, IN.
  I know all Senators join with me in wishing Jean good luck and 
thanking her for her dedicated service to the Senate and this Nation of 
ours. Jean, we say thank you.
  I urge the adoption of the resolution, and I ask unanimous consent 
for its immediate consideration.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report.
  The assistant legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 232) to commend Jean Schrag Lauver 
     for her long, dedicated, and exemplary service to the United 
     States Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection to the immediate 
consideration of the resolution?
  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, the resolution is agreed 
to.
  The resolution (S. Res. 232) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

                              S. Res. 232

       Whereas Jean Lauver has expertly served the Committee on 
     Environment and Public Works over the past twenty-one years, 
     both as a majority and minority professional staff person;
       Whereas Jean Lauver has helped shape federal infrastructure 
     policy for over two decades;
       Whereas Jean Lauver has at all times discharged the duties 
     and responsibilities of her office with unparalleled 
     efficiency, diligence and patience;
       Whereas her dedication, good humor, low key style and 
     ability to get along with others are a model for all of us in 
     the Senate; and
       Whereas Jean Lauver's exceptional service has earned her 
     the respect and affection of Republican and Democratic 
     Senators and their staffs alike: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the United States Senate--
       expresses its appreciation to Jean Schrag Lauver and 
     commends her for twenty-one years of outstanding service to 
     the Senate and the country.

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