[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 165 (Friday, November 19, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2479]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


       IN MEMORY OF TIM DONOHUE, LONG TIME CONGRESSIONAL STAFFER

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 18, 1999

  Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to 
Timothy Leo Donohue, a long time employee of the House of 
Representatives who passed away on November 11, 1999. Tim loved 
politics, government service and the House of Representatives where he 
worked for more than twenty years.
  Tim was usually in the Speakers Gallery, helping to control access to 
the Floor. Generally assigned to the Democratic side, Tim understood 
that just because our work is important does not mean it must be 
cheerless. Always there with a warm smile and a good word, Tim made us 
all feel good about ourselves and our work. Tim was the consummate 
professional. He took his job seriously without taking himself too 
seriously. When questioned about his ability to recall names and faces, 
he joked ``After you have memorized the faces of 435 white males the 
rest is easy.''
  Prior to his service with the Doorkeeper, Tim worked for Congressman 
Charlie Wilson and Senators Leahy and Cranston. His last service on the 
Hill was with Congressman Barney Frank.
  Tim was a deeply spiritual person, who had studied for the priesthood 
before deciding to devote himself to public service. In making this 
choice, Tim was motivated by the belief that public service was the 
best way for him to serve God and country.
  Tim was also a gay activist who served that community in a number of 
ways. He devoted countless hours to ``Food and Friends'' a charitable 
group dedicated to easing the suffering of those afflicted with AIDS 
and to gay political groups, especially ActUp.
  Tim also encouraged a number of gay writers. Tim is quoted in 
Michelangelo Signorile's ``Queer in America'' on the role of gays in 
Government. While some were arguing about the risk posed by gays in the 
military, Tim presents images of gays who love their country and choose 
government service. Without ``naming names,'' Tim helped correct the 
historic record to point out the important role played by gay staffers 
in Congress.
  As a proud liberal who loved his country, Tim sacrificed a high 
position as an energy company lobbyist because he questioned Interior 
Secretary James Watt's statement that America was divided between 
``liberals and Americans.''
  Today, we mourn the passing of a loyal and hardworking staffer. Like 
many others who work in this House, Tim sacrificed high pay and other 
benefits to serve his country. He appreciated that the worth of a man 
is not measured in how much he earns but in how much he contributed to 
the common good. This House and our country suffered a loss when Tim 
Donohue left this world.

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