[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 30 (Thursday, March 16, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E344]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   A TRIBUTE TO MRS. JUDITH KIRCHMAN

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MIKE McINTYRE

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 16, 2000

  Mr. McINTYRE. Mr. Speaker, today I want to extend my warmest thanks 
and my most sincere best wishes to my District Director, Judith 
Kirchman, who will be retiring in June after 20 years of service to the 
citizens of the Seventh Congressional District of North Carolina.
  Judith, a native of Fayetteville, NC, began work in June 1980, for my 
predecessor, the Honorable Charlie Rose. During the past 20 years, 
Judith has performed superbly in various positions and tasks. From 
assisting citizens in their dealings with Federal agencies to being 
that ``point person'' on natural disasters to strategic advice and 
counsel, Judith has been both resourceful and thoughtful.
  When I think of Judith's commitment to the public good, the words 
``spirit, sacrifice, and service'' come to mind. Judith's positive 
spirit has always been to do the task at hand--a spirit that inspires 
others to achieve. Judith's sacrifice in time and commitment has been 
to make southeastern North Carolina a better place to live and work--a 
sacrifice that meant doing the right thing and not being concerned with 
who gets the credit.
  Pearl S. Buck once said, ``To serve is beautiful, but only if it is 
done with joy and a whole heart and free mind.'' Judith, there is no 
question that your 20 years of service have been the epitome of this 
statement. Service to others has been the embodiment of your life--
service that sets a path for others to follow and that we all should 
emulate.
  As you enter this next stage of your life, I am confident that your 
talents and energy will continue to be of benefit to many. Through your 
commitment to your church, your family, and your community, a shining 
jewel you will continue to be.
  Bart Giamatti, the former president of Yale University, said it well 
in 1987,

       Be mindful of what we share and must share; not the least 
     of which is that each of our hopes for a full and decent life 
     depends upon others hoping the same and all of us sustaining 
     each other's hopes . . . If there is no striving for the good 
     life for any of us, there cannot be a good life for any of 
     us.

  Judith, on behalf of the citizens of the Seventh Congressional 
District of North Carolina, thank you so much for the good life you 
have given to so many. Now, you enjoy the same, and may God's strength, 
peace and joy be with you always.

                          ____________________