[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 57 (Tuesday, April 30, 1996)]
[House]
[Page H4163]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   FAREWELL TO DOORKEEPER GARY HEUER

  (Mr. ARMEY asked was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. ARMEY. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take a few moments here to 
pause and offer our best wishes and our thanks to someone whom all of 
us in this Chamber know--Gary Heuer. After 28 years of Government 
service, Gary is retiring. I hope he is retiring knowing that he 
carries with him our admiration and respect.
  After dedicating his life's work to his country, Gary deserves our 
heartiest thanks. As much as we might selfishly miss him here where his 
work has been so needed and appreciated, we can all wish that in his 
retirement he will always have what he always gave to us--the very 
best.
  I direct your attention to the west doors of the Speaker's lobby. The 
heavily bearded gentleman--known to some of the Pages as the Mountain 
Man--is, as most of you know, Gary Heuer. His somewhat imposing 
presence masks a kind and gentle core. His even manner with all people, 
and an intellect sharp in the ways of the legislative process have made 
him a tower of stability in a too-frequently chaotic atmosphere.
  Gary's government service began in 1962 with a 4 year stint in the 
Air Force as a member of our expeditionary forces in Southeast Asia, 
where he was awarded the Good Conduct Medal. In 1966 he began working 
for U.S. Steel after moving to Texas. As we all know, moving to Texas 
is the sign of a truly intelligent man.
  Gary began working for the Office of the Doorkeeper in 1972, and in 
the following 24 years, he has provided this body and its Members with 
a dedication that we've all come to admire and respect. Many of us here 
today have found ourselves relying on Gary for his insight and 
information with regard to the activities in this Chamber. We--as well 
as those future Members who have yet to tread these Halls--will find 
ourselves poorer for his absence.
  Few present today have been so privileged to witness the history that 
Gary has observed--and, in a way, been a part of. Sonny Montgomery, Jim 
Quillen, Bill Young, John Myers, Tom Bevill--those are just a few of 
the names with whom Gary has shared his time on Capitol Hill. Starting 
with Carl Albert, Gary has served under five Speakers of the House.
  Six Presidents have presided over our country while Gary has watched 
from his vantage point here on the Hill.
  All of us who know Gary will mark his retirement as the departure of 
a knowledgeable and dependable coworker. Those of us who know him well, 
especially his friends in the Chamber security unit of the Sergeant at 
Arms, will note his retirement as we would the departure of a much-
loved member of the family.
  I understand Gary will be trading his station in the Speaker's Lobby 
for the woodlands of Maryland and Indiana--his two homes. And let me 
tell you, as much as we will miss him, that does not sound like a bad 
swap. But I hope he will not forget he also has a home in our hearts--
the mat at the door will always read welcome.
  With true affection and respect we say to him, Gary, thank you and 
God bless you.
  In your retirement, for all you have seen and all you have observed, 
please do not write a book. Thank you, Gary.

                          ____________________