[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 146 (Wednesday, October 14, 1998)]
[House]
[Page H10877]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    HONORING JOAN ZIMMERMAN FOR A QUARTER CENTURY OF PUBLIC SERVICE

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Shays) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. SHAYS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the career of a 
valued employee, Joan Zimmerman.
  I feel fortunate to have had Joan on my staff since I was first 
elected to Congress back in 1987. But her time on the Hill did not 
start with me. She worked for my predecessor, the Honorable Stewart B. 
McKinney, as well as Stan Parris from Virginia and Robin Beard from 
Tennessee.
  Joan has worked for the United States Congress for a quarter century. 
She is a witness to many major changes in this institution and has seen 
many things: from Watergate to the Iran hostage crisis, to the end of 
the Cold War and seemingly never-ending budget deficits to an eventual 
surplus this year.
  Joan is not just a friend and colleague in our office but throughout 
the buildings of the Capitol. She talks to her loading dock buddies 
about possible dates of adjournment and counts many of the Capitol 
Police force as dear friends.
  When the tragic shooting of officers John Gibson and J.J. Chestnut at 
the Capitol occurred earlier this year, Joan offered her advice, 
guidance and sympathies to the many friends she has on the force who 
were deeply shaken by the death of these two American heroes. I know 
they appreciated her support as we appreciate her years of dedication.
  Joan, our office sage, after years of dedicated service is retiring 
this December and so many in our Capitol community will miss her.
  She always approached her job with a calm and consistent demeanor, 
steadfastly getting the work done in an often hectic environment. Her 
perspective and wisdom about this House has soothed the jagged nerves 
of a generation of young staffers.
  We will remember her for her sweetness of manner and her quiet 
determination, and a wonderful love and devotion to her two cats. We 
know our office will never be able to properly replace her.

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