[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 138 (Monday, September 30, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1874]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  IN RECOGNITION OF THE OFFICE OF FAIR EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES' HEARING 
                                OFFICERS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. WILLIAM M. THOMAS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 30, 1996

  Mr. THOMAS. Mr. Speaker, October of this year, marks 8 years since 
the adoption of the House Fair Employment Practices Resolution, House 
Resolution 558 of the 100th Congress. At that time, this legislation 
established a new direction for addressing employment discrimination 
matters within the House of Representatives. The resolution prohibited 
discrimination against all House employees on the basis of race, color, 
national origin, religion, disability, and age. Additional employment 
legislation expanded upon these rights.
  For the expressed purpose of addressing these employment issues. The 
resolution also created a new administrative process consisting of 
counseling, mediation, and adjudication. This House-designed process 
has been administered, during these 8 years, through the Office of Fair 
Employment Practices and the Fair Employment Practices Review Panel.
  With the passage of the Congressional Accountability Act and the 
establishment of the Office of Compliance, we are now transitioning to 
a new era concerning employment rights in the Congress. Nevertheless, 
we are here today to pay special tribute to a select group of 
individuals who have been a part of the House Fair Employment 
Practices' process during its tenure: the hearing officers.
  A critical component of the Fair Employment Practices' process has 
been the adjudicatory or hearing stage. Under this system, hearings 
have been conducted and decisions rendered by individuals who have come 
from the ranks of employees within the House of Representatives, with 
background qualifications in this area. These dedicated men and women 
have given their time and talent to provide every grievant a fair and 
impartial hearing.
  Many hours of time have been given, time given without compensation, 
to the activities involved: The Background preparation for hearings, 
the actual conducting of hearings, the review of documents, the 
research time in the law library, and the writing of decisions.
  Over the course of these 8 years, nine individuals have served the 
House with distinction as hearing officers under the Office of Fair 
Employment Practices. As an indication of the bipartisan nature which 
has been afforded to this process and which these hearing officers have 
upheld, each of the individuals was jointly appointed to the hearing 
officer position by the chair and ranking member of the Committee on 
House Oversight and its predecessor.
  With pleasure, I would now like to recognize these individuals for 
their outstanding work: Michael L. Murray; Henry J. Schweiter; Randel 
K. Johnson; Ellen L. Weintraub; Charles J. Willoughby; Ariel R. David; 
Edward W. Hoskins, Jr.; Daniel J. Levinson; and Joseph Gibson.
  A special note of thanks to Jim Schweiter who has served as a hearing 
officer for 6 years, taken on the greatest number of cases, and has 
served as a special resource to the staff of the Fair Employment 
Practices' Office. In all but title, he has been the senior hearing 
officer.
  I would also like to thank the staff to the Office of Fair Employment 
Practices for their service to the House of Representatives, Joseph P. 
Horn, Ruby McCall-Bunch, Rebecca Miller, and Particularly the OFEP 
Director, William X. Baranowski.
  This opportunity to acknowledge these highly dedicated individuals is 
a small measure of our greatful appreciation for the work they have 
done in this unique role, on behalf of the House of Representatives. To 
all of you, please accept our heartfelt thanks for your outstanding 
work, and best wishes for your continued successful careers.

                          ____________________