[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 47 (Monday, April 15, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Page S3310]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    JANE BERGEN'S SILVER ANNIVERSARY

  Mr. HOLLINGS. Mr. President, I would like to express my thanks and 
congratulations to a member of my staff, Ms. Jane Bergen. As we all 
know, here on Capitol Hill, we have a lot of very bright people who 
join our staffs and work tirelessly for our constituents. However, it 
is truly rare to have someone as gifted, dedicated, and loyal as Jane. 
Yesterday was Jane's 25th anniversary with my office, and I am honored 
to have had her with me for all this time.
  One of the many benefits of being a seasoned Senator is the 
opportunity to form strong relationships with one's staff. My office 
is, in many ways, a family, and Jane has done a great deal toward 
making it that way. In addition to being intelligent and capable, she 
is one of the most good-natured people I've ever met. Jane gets along 
with everyone, and I know that every member of my staff would do 
anything for her.
  Over the course of 25 years, Jane has come to know just about all 
there is to know about the workings of the Senate. She has trained more 
legislative assistants in my office than I can count, and she has 
become an invaluable resource in the process. These days, the word 
``dependable'' has become a somewhat banal adjective. Well, I would 
like to redefine that word and apply it to Jane Bergen. She is uniquely 
trustworthy, and my staff and I have come to rely on her knowledge, 
judgement, and goodwill on a daily basis.
  As much as Jane participates in the family life of the office, she 
has just as full and successful life outside of it. She and her 
husband, Les, are the parents of two great children, Leah and Joel, who 
are the priority in their lives. Jane and Les are community leaders who 
have been active in local politics, the PTA and their synagogue.
  Although Jane has attended college, married, raised children, and 
pursued a career here in Washington, she is a native of my hometown, 
Charleston, the daughter of dear friends, Rita and Dr. Leon Banov. And 
she still retains the best of the traits of southerners: a strong sense 
of family and community, a perpetually friendly disposition, and 
loyalty. On behalf of Peatsy and all the staff through the years, I 
thank Jane for her many and excellent contributions to our office. I 
look forward to working with her for years to come.

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