[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 128 (Wednesday, September 23, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Page S10855]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO CONNIE DRAKELEY

 Mr. GREGG. Mr. President, I come to the floor today with the 
sad task of informing the Senate of the passing of one of my staff, 
Connie Drakeley. Connie died in her sleep last week and coming to terms 
with her sudden passing has been difficult.
  Connie was a very important member of my staff and will be greatly 
missed. She will be missed not only for the large contributions she 
made to the office, but also because she was our friend.
  Connie joined my staff in March, 1995 in the position of Editor. She 
came aboard during a time when the mail was building up and a 
significant backlog was forming--in short order, Connie alleviated the 
problem.
  The mail we receive from our constituents and, in return, answer is 
the lifeblood of our representative government. It was in this context 
and with this attitude that Connie worked as Editor on my staff. She, 
in many ways, had the hardest job in the office--with red pen, she 
pointed out everyone's mistakes! But she always worked very diligently, 
professionally and responsibly. She worked long hours and often took 
work home with her; she made us all better writers. She labored in this 
manner to make sure that my mail was without fault.
  Connie was always ready with advice and assistance when someone on 
staff needed help right away with a letter, speech or a press release. 
Though the work load sometimes could have overwhelmed her, she always 
rose to the challenge and kept her promises to get her editing done on 
time.
  She was very knowledgeable and up-to-date on legislation--she watched 
the floor, read Congress Daily--she didn't just correct grammar, but 
content as well. She knew the issues and could spot a mistake a mile 
away. We realized how much the entire process depended on her whenever 
she took vacation. Mail came first to Connie! I will always be thankful 
for her remarkable commitment to a demanding and stressful job and her 
respect for the English language.
  Connie dedicated her life to being the best editor one can be. Before 
she came to my office, she worked as an editor for Senator Harry Reid, 
for the National Archives, for Bechtel, and as a picture researcher for 
LIFE magazine.
  I would like to extend my deepest sympathies to Connie's daughter, 
brother and other family members. On behalf of my entire office, I wish 
to let them know that our prayers and thoughts are with them.
  Connie was an indispensable member of our team; her energy, vitality, 
and dedication will be missed for a long time. We simply couldn't have 
accomplished what we did on a weekly basis for the past few years 
without her. Personally and professionally, we have lost a good friend 
and coworker.

                          ____________________