[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 111 (Thursday, July 25, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1377]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            THANK YOU, ROBIN BRIDGES, FOR YOUR LOYAL SERVICE

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JACK FIELDS

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 25, 1996

  Mr. FIELDS of Texas. Mr. Speaker, it was with mixed emotions that I 
announced last December 11 my decision to retire from the House at the 
conclusion of my current term. As I explained at the time, the decision 
to retire was made more difficult because of the loyalty and dedication 
of my staff--and because of the genuine friendship I feel for them. 
Each one of them has served the men and women of Texas' 8th 
Congressional District in an extraordinary way.
  Today, I want to thank one member of my staff--Robin Bridges, my 
office manager--for everything she's done for me and my constituents in 
the 11 years that she has worked in my office.
  Robin has worked on Capitol Hill since 1971. From 1971 to 1976, she 
served as systems manager for Representatives Charles Thone. From 1980 
to 1984, she held the same position in the office of Representative 
Larry Coughlin. And from 1984 to 1985, she served as systems manager 
for Representative Buddy Darden.
  The first time I met Robin, I was impressed by her extensive 
experience and her professionalism. But the more we talked, the more I 
realized that she was not just someone who knew how to get a job done--
although she certainly knew that. I came to appreciate her personal 
warmth and sincerity, and her personal warmth and sincerity, and her 
eagerness to pitch in to ensure that my constituents received timely 
responses to their letters and calls. Over time, as computer systems 
have proliferated and become more complex, I have been impressed with 
Robin's ability to adapt to new technology--just as she has adapted to 
a variety of personnel and other changes in my office.
  Five years ago, I asked her to assume new responsibilities as my 
office manager--a request she readily and eagerly accepted. But more 
than her competence as a member of my staff, I wish to say a word about 
Robin as an individual, and as a mother.
  To determine what kind of a person someone is, one need only look at 
that person's children. Robin's daughter, Emily, and her son, Andrew, 
are proof that the qualities she brings to their work in my office are 
the qualities she lives by. Both Emily and Andrew have been recognized 
for academic excellence in high school and college. The hard work and 
dedication they have demonstrated were instilled in them by their 
mother, who has successfully balanced the difficult roles of single 
mother and congressional staff member.
  Robin Bridges is one of those hardworking men and women who make all 
of us in this institution look better than we deserve. I know she has 
done that for me, and I appreciate this opportunity to publicly thank 
her for the dedication, loyalty and professionalism she has exhibited 
throughout the years it has been my privilege to know and work with 
her.
  Robin has yet to make a definite decision about what she wants to do 
in the years ahead. But knowing he as well as I do, I am confident that 
the skills and the personal qualities she has demonstrated in my office 
will lead to continued success in the future.
  Mr. Speaker, I know you join with me in saying thank you to Robin 
Bridges for her years of loyal service to me, to the men and women of 
Texas' 8th Congressional District, and to this great institution.

                          ____________________