[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 120 (Thursday, September 5, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1518-E1519]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            THANK YOU, BOB FERGUSON, FOR YOUR LOYAL SERVICE

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JACK FIELDS

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, September 4, 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' Eighth 
Congressional District in an extraordinary way.
  Today, I want to thank one member of my staff--Bob Ferguson, my 
administrative assistant--for everything he's done for me and my 
constituents in the 16 years that he has worked in my office.
  From the day I first took my oath of office, Bob has managed and 
overseen the operations of my Washington office. I have relied on his 
experience and counsel on personnel, budgeting and administrative 
matters, as well as advising me on various legislative issues 
throughout my 16 years in this institution. More recently, in my final 
term in the House, Bob has served as my legislative director, 
personally handling social issues, welfare reform, Government reform, 
energy issues, clean air legislation, private property rights and 
endangered species legislation. The fact is that Bob has served on 
Capitol Hill longer than I have.
  He came to my office from the Senate Republican Policy Committee, 
then chaired by Senator John Tower of Texas, where he served as a staff 
economist. In that position, Bob conducted research and formulated 
position papers on economic policy. In 1980, he assisted in the 
development of the economic policy plank of the Republican platform as 
a staffer to the Republican Convention Platform Committee, also chaired 
by Senator Tower.
  Following the Presidential election, Bob served as a member of the 
Reagan administration transition team for the Department of the 
Treasury--helping to develop economic policy papers, and helping to 
fill key positions in the Treasury Department.
  From 1977 to 1978, Bob had served on the staff of the House 
Republican Study Committee, working closely with our former colleague, 
Jack Kemp, on a variety of supply-side economic initiatives.
  In addition to his work on my staff, Bob is an extremely active 
member of his church, the Church of Latter Day Saints. He is devoted to 
his lovely wife, Carol, and to his children Robby, Alecia, and Michael.
  Bob is well-known as an avid fan of Brigham Young University 
football, and is also known as an enthusiastic gardener. More recently, 
he has begun a new hobby, beekeeping.
  I have depended on his advise and counsel throughout my years in 
Congress, and appreciate this opportunity to express my gratitude for 
everything he has done for me over the years.
  Bob Ferguson is one of those hard working men and women who make all 
of us in this institution look better than we deserve. I know he has 
done that for me, and I appreciate this opportunity to publicly thank 
him for the dedication, loyalty and professionalism he has exhibited 
throughout the years it has been my privilege to know and work with 
him.
  Bob has yet to make a definite decision about what he wants to do 
when I retire from office. But I am confident that the skills and the 
personal qualities he has demonstrated in my office will lead to 
continued success in the future.

[[Page E1519]]

  Mr. Speaker, I know you join with me in saying thank you to Bob 
Ferguson for his years of loyal service to me, to the men and women of 
Texas' Eighth Congressional District, and to this great institution.

                          ____________________