[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 38 (Friday, March 21, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S2756]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO JOAN K. STEVENS

 Mr. ROBB. Mr. President, I rise today in order to commend and 
acknowledge Ms. Joan K. Stevens, who is retiring from the White House 
Military Office after more than 25 years of dedicated service to her 
country. Ms. Stevens has loyally assisted six Presidents as a liaison 
to the military and has had the kind of impact on peoples' lives that 
demands respect and compels our sincerest appreciation. She has 
facilitated over 500,000 military inquiries from the public and it is 
because of individuals such as Ms. Stevens that a healthy communication 
endures between the Commander in Chief and our troops out in the field.
  Ms. Stevens first began working in the Special Counsel's Office of 
the White House in July of 1972 . She later spent time in the First 
Lady's Office in February of 1973. In November of 1974, however, Ms. 
Stevens found her calling and the WHMO, in turn, discovered an 
invaluable and faithful staffer. She has been there ever since, working 
diligently to perpetuate the idea that the men and women of our Armed 
Forces are indeed important and have a discernible voice in our 
government that must be heard.
  Also noteworthy is the fact that Ms. Stevens has, for more than two 
decades, been the single point of contact for the thousands of 
Presidential condolence letters to the next-of-kin of active duty 
personnel who have tragically died in military related accidents. 
Paying tribute to America's fallen warriors is an obligation that 
begins with the leadership of this country. It is hard to imagine the 
responsibility and burden Ms. Stevens' has ultimately shouldered on 
behalf of a grateful nation.
  In recognition of her efforts and devotion, Ms. Stevens was recently 
awarded the Secretary of Defense Public Service Medal. It is clear Ms. 
Joan Stevens will be missed dearly. Still, as a fellow Virginian, the 
State Ms. Stevens has called home for over 26 years, I am truly honored 
to have the opportunity today to congratulate her on a remarkable 
career and salute her commitment to the President, the Armed Forces of 
the United States, and most importantly, to the American people. Mr. 
President, I ask that you join me, our colleagues both here and in the 
White House, and the family and friends of Ms. Joan K. Stevens, in 
expressing our heartfelt gratitude to this exemplary public 
servant.

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