[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 101 (Wednesday, July 10, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Page S7508]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        FAREWELL TO LORI STALEY

  Mr. BURNS. Mr. President, I rise today to bid farewell to my 
legislative assistant, Lori Anne Staley. She logged over 4 years time 
with me and I will certainly miss her.
  Lori joined my staff almost in the beginning back in 1989 as a staff 
assistant. She quickly learned the ropes and helped to keep my office 
running back in the early days when many of us were still figuring out 
how to get around the Capitol.
  Although she is from Ohio she easily adapted to Montana and soon 
Montana adopted her. She has worked hard for Montana and Montanans 
appreciate all that she has done. Her biggest compliment is when people 
forget she is not a native Montanan.
  Lori left my office for a couple of years and then came back, proving 
that you can come home again. She returned as a legislative 
correspondent and after 2 months took over international trade and 
foreign relations as a legislative assistant, continuing to add to her 
list of duties over the course of 3 years. Today she not only handles 
trade, foreign relations, and defense issues, but she is also 
responsible for my duties as a member of the Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation Committee. She has been willing and able to tackle any 
issue and has a broad understanding of the way Washington works.
  From trains, planes, and space shuttles, to Bosnia-Herzegovina, 
Haiti, and B-2 bombers, to GATT and NAFTA, Canadian Durum wheat, and 
product liability reform--Lori knew the issues well and was always able 
to keep me informed and up-to-date.
  She was able to juggle her multiple issues while keeping the big 
picture in perspective and knowing how Montana fit into it. No matter 
how big or small the task she had a good sense of how to get the job 
done right. I teased her as being hard hearted, but I knew I could 
always count on her for a clear assessment of any issue in a snap.
  I admire her energy and devotion to her job and to Montana. We have 
spent many late nights together as it seems the Senate gets the most 
work done in the wee hours of the day. Whether preparing for committee 
hearings or monitoring floor debate I knew she was working overtime to 
keep things running smoothly.
  In her 3 years as part of my legislative team her accomplishments 
have numbered many. She was instrumental in helping agriculture 
shippers during the sunsetting of the Interstate Commerce Commission. 
She planned a small business committee field hearing in Kalispell, MT 
on proposed OSHA regulations for the timber industry--two issues which 
didn't know anything at all about when she started. She has also 
promoted distance learning which was showcased in a Commerce 
subcommittee hearing earlier this year. Whether working with NASA or 
the Montana Department of Transportation her ability to work through 
problems and get the job done shone through every time.
  We will miss more than just Lori's work around the Office. Even in 
stressful times she managed to keep her good humor. Everyone on staff 
knew they could turn to her for an amusing story, some good advice, or 
a helping hand. Indeed we will also miss her cheerful smile.
  Lori has changed a great deal since she first arrived on Capitol Hill 
7 years ago and started her first job in my office. I know that neither 
of us will forget this period of time and I hope that she leaves my 
office with a feeling of having made a difference. She has done almost 
every job and covered almost every issue as a part of my staff and 
every time she goes in with a smile and comes out on top.
  Today she is moving on to start a new adventure. I'm certain that she 
will miss all the people she's worked with here in Washington, DC, and 
back home in Montana. Everything she has learned and all of her 
experiences will be a part of her. And in return when she moves to her 
new job she will leave a little part of herself with us.
  In closing, I would like to bid good luck, but not good-bye, to my 
legislative assistant and friend, Lori Staley. I know she will go far. 
Lori, thanks for your good work.
  Mr. President, I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator's time has expired.
  Under the previous order, the Senator from New Mexico [Mr. Bingaman] 
is recognized for up to 10 minutes.
  Mr. BINGAMAN. Mr. President, I thank you for the time.

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