[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 152 (Thursday, November 12, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2331-E2332]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          TRIBUTE TO ART RYNEARSON, SENIOR LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BOB CLEMENT

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 12, 1998

  Mr. CLEMENT. Mr. Speaker, I would like to express my warmest thanks 
to Art Rynearson, Senior Legislative Counsel for the office of the 
Senate Legislative Counsel, for his outstanding work on the 
International Religious Freedom Act of 1998. The International 
Religious

[[Page E2332]]

Freedom Act was an extraordinary endeavor, not only in the 
comprehensive nature of the measure itself, but in the highly unusual 
bicameral, bipartisan effort which led to unanimous passage by the 
105th Congress. Together with the office of Senator Don Nickles, who 
introduced the measure, my office worked closely with other committed 
House and Senate staff to draft this bill. For more than a year, Art 
Rynearson shared in these long, demanding hours of effort. His expert 
counsel, unrelenting thoroughness, and countless hours of dedicated 
hard work shaped this bill into a measure of which we can be proud for 
the rest of our lives. My Rynearson's commitment and professionalism 
have helped bring hope to millions of people around the world who 
suffer terrible persecution for the simple practice of their faith. He 
well deserves our heartfelt commendation on their behalf.


   Tribute to Vita Bite, Foreign Affairs Expert at the Congressional 
                            Research Service

  Mr. Speaker, I would like to express my warmest thanks to Vita Bite, 
Foreign Affairs Expert at the Congressional Research Service, for her 
invaluable input into the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998. 
As part of a bicameral, bipartisan group of offices working together on 
this bill, my staff worked closely with Ms. Bite for more than a year 
as this Act was drafted. Ms. Bite provided expert counsel, including 
critical background on United States human rights laws and bureaucratic 
and administrative issues related to the bill. She was quick to provide 
research and advice, and was always gracious and ready to advise. She 
and her colleagues have spent many long hours analyzing this Act as it 
took shape. The International Religious Freedom Act, which passed the 
Senate and House unanimously this Congress, is designed to help 
millions of religious believers suffering for their faith around the 
world. Ms. Bite's expert counsel helped shape effective, wise 
parameters for this landmark piece of legislation, and she deserves our 
heartfelt thanks.


 Tribute to Jeanne Grimmett, Legislative Attorney at the Congressional 
                            Research Service

  Mr. Speaker, I would like to express my warmest thanks to Jeanne 
Grimmett, Legislative Attorney in the American Law Division of the 
Congressional Research Service. As part of a bicameral, bipartisan 
group of offices working together on this bill, my staff worked closely 
with Ms. Grimmett for more than a year as this Act was drafted. She was 
quick to provide research and advice, and was always ready to advise. 
Ms. Grimmett provided extensive legal research and background in many 
areas, including trade and environmental law, precedents and parameters 
in United States and international law, and matters pertaining to 
constitutional questions. her expertise proved invaluable as we sought 
to draft wise, effective legislations. She and her colleagues have 
spent many long hours analyzing this Act as it took shape. The 
International Religious Freedom Act, which passed the Senate and House 
unanimously this Congress, is designed to help millions of religious 
believers suffering for their faith around the world. Ms. Grimmett's 
expert counsel helped us frame effective, wise parameters for this 
landmark piece of legislation, and she deserves our heartfelt thanks.


Tribute to Dianne Rennack, Foreign Affairs Expert at the Congressional 
                            Research Service

  Mr. Speaker, I would like to express my warmest thanks to Dianne 
Rennack, Foreign Affairs Expert at the Congressional Research Service, 
for her invaluable input into the International Religious Freedom Act 
of 1998. As part of a bicameral, bipartisan group of offices working 
together on this bill, my staff worked closely with Ms. Rennack for 
more than a year as this Act was drafted. She was quick to provide 
research and advice, and was always gracious and ready to advise. Ms. 
Rennack provided expert counsel, including critical background on 
United States sanctions laws and related bureaucratic and 
administrative issues. She and her colleagues have spent many long 
hours analyzing this Act as it took shape. The International Religious 
Freedom Act, which passed the Senate and House unanimously this 
Congress, is designed to help millions of religious believers suffering 
for their faith around the world. Ms. Rennacks' expert counsel helped 
us shape effective, wise parameters for this landmark piece of 
legislation, and she deserves our heartfelt thanks.


    Tribute to Larry Eig, Legislative Attorney at the Congressional 
                            Research Service

  Mr. Speaker, I would like to express my warmest thanks to Larry Eig. 
Legislative Attorney in the American Law Division of the Congressional 
Research Service. As part of a bicameral, bipartisan group of offices 
working together on this bill, my staff worked closely with Mr. Eig for 
more than a year as this Act was drafted. He was quick to provide 
research and advice, and was always gracious and ready to advise. Mr. 
Eig provided extensive legal research and background in many areas, 
including United States immigration law, analysis and precedents for 
legal effects of provisions in the bill, and matters pertaining to 
constitutional questions. His expertise proved invaluable as we sought 
to draft wise, effective legislation. Mr. Eig and his colleagues have 
spent many long hours analyzing this Act as it took shape. The 
International Religious Freedom Act, which passed the Senate and House 
unanimously this Congress, is designed to help millions of religious 
believers suffering for their faith around the world. Mr. Eig's expert 
counsel helped us frame effective, wise parameters for this landmark 
piece of legislation, and he deserves our heartfelt thanks.


 Tribute to Joyce Vialet, Refugee Affairs Expert at the Congressional 
                            Research Service

  Mr. Speaker, I would like to express my warm thanks to Joyce Vialet, 
Expert on Refugee Affairs for the Congressional Research Service, for 
her assistance with the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998. As 
part of a bicameral, bipartisan group of offices working together on 
this bill, my staff worked closely with Ms. Vialet. She was quick to 
provide research and advice, and was always gracious and ready to 
advise. Ms. Vialet provided extensive background on refugee matters, 
and her expertise helped us draft wise, effective legislation. The 
International Religious Freedom Act, which passed the Senate and House 
unanimously this Congress, is designed to help millions of religious 
believers suffering for their faith around the world. Ms. Vialet's 
expert counsel helped us frame effective, wise parameters for this 
landmark piece of legislation, and she deserves our warmest thanks.

                          ____________________