[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 79 (Monday, June 9, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S5399]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO KATHRYN HOOK

  Mr. THURMOND. Mr. President, in my almost 42 years of service to the 
U.S. Senate, I have probably had more than one thousand individuals 
work for me as members of my personal and committee staffs. Among these 
legions, I have been fortunate to have had a number of particularly 
capable, dedicated, and selfless men and women who truly went above and 
beyond the call of duty in assisting me and in carrying out their 
duties as staffers. Today, I rise to pay tribute to Miss Kathryn Hook, 
a person who has been with me for just short of 30 years, whose work 
and efforts have been invaluable, and to many South Carolinians, is as 
much a part of my office as I am. Sadly, today marks Kathryn's last day 
on the job.
  A woman with a warm and outgoing personality, Kathryn first arrived 
in my office in 1967 and immediately began to make friends not only 
among my staff, but with our neighbors in other Senate offices. I 
recall that at that time the late Bobby Kennedy was one of my 
colleagues, and he had an office adjacent to mine. As he would walk 
down the halls with his dogs, he would almost inevitably stop into my 
reception room to say ``hello'' to Kathryn. It is my understanding that 
later, when Senator Kennedy ran for President, he asked Kathryn if she 
was interested in working on his South Carolina campaign activities, 
and as tempting and flattering an offer as that most certainly must 
have been, commendably, Kathryn chose to stay in my employ. It is a 
decision that I am grateful she made.
  For almost three decades, Kathryn has been such a fixture on my 
staff, she has earned the title of ``Dean of Women,'' and she has made 
countless contributions to the operations of this office in many 
different ways. Working at the back of the reception room of 217 
Russell, dubbed the ``Dogwood Alcove'' because of the personal touches 
she has made to her workspace, Kathryn has pleasantly, politely, and 
warmly greeted probably tens of thousands of visitors to my office, 
ranging from constituents who have come by to say ``hello,'' to senior 
American and foreign government officials who are making official calls 
on matters of policy. In each case, she has demonstrated the famed 
hospitality of South Carolinians, making anyone who enters my suite 
feel as though they are a long lost friend, and making sure that they 
know that they are welcome in my office.
  Perhaps more importantly, though, is the influence she has had on 
young staffers who have worked under her. Kathryn is a woman of high 
and uncompromising standards, and a strong work ethic. In the course of 
her career, she has passed these commendable qualities and 
characteristics on to those who have been her direct subordinates, as 
well as to many other staffers who have worked with her through the 
years. There is no question that Kathryn has left her mark on an untold 
number of Strom Thurmond staffers, and that her influence has 
benefitted these individuals both while they worked for me, and in 
subsequent jobs. I have no doubt that there are hundreds of people, 
particularly women, who owe their success in life to the lessons they 
learned from Kathryn Hook.
  Of course, Kathryn's contributions go far beyond that of her duties 
in the reception room and as the personal assistant to my chief of 
staff. She is the point of contact for any number of South Carolinians, 
particularly those from her hometown of Florence, who know Kathryn and 
feel comfortable contacting her on a multitude of issues that range 
from correcting problems with a relative's Social Security check, to 
legislative issues. Kathryn's intimate knowledge of office policy, 
procedures, and history has made her a useful resource for staff 
members who need advice and guidance on issues or have a question that 
can only be answered by her institutional memory.
  Mr. President, Kathryn Hook is a unique and special woman in many 
different ways, and it is impossible to cite all of the highlights of 
her career or to adequately summarize the impact she has had in my 
office. Suffice it to say, her efforts over the years have helped me do 
my job as a legislator and in assisting the people of South Carolina. 
Kathryn's long tenure of invaluable service to our State was recently 
recognized and honored by the Governor of South Carolina who presented 
her with our State's highest award, ``The Order of the Palmetto,'' in a 
ceremony held in the Strom Thurmond Room of the U.S. Capitol. 
Regrettably, I do not have an equivalent commendation with which I can 
present her, but I hope she knows that I have valued her faithful 
service, will certainly miss her sense of humor and energetic 
personality, and that I am pleased to count her among my friends. It is 
a bittersweet day on which I say goodbye to Kathryn Hook, as not only 
is it her last day on my staff, but it is her birthday as well. I wish 
her many more years of health and happiness, and I thank her for her 
many years of devoted and selfless service.
  I yield the floor and suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The bill clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. DORGAN. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Ms. COLLINS). Without objection, it is so 
ordered.
  Mr. DORGAN. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent to claim the 
time of the leader's designee in morning business. The Democratic 
leader is allotted 60 minutes.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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