[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 136 (Thursday, October 26, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1947]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                TRIBUTE TO KATHY REED ON HER RETIREMENT

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                            HON. JIM NUSSLE

                                of iowa

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 26, 2000

  Mr. NUSSLE. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to bring special attention to 
someone who has been a great asset to my District and me for the past 
nine years. After nine years of service and dedication to the people of 
Iowa's Second District, my District Representative for Clayton, Dubuque 
and Jackson counties has announced her retirement for the end of this 
year. Kathy Reed has been a loyal and dedicated employee, and someone I 
am proud to have worked with over the years.
  Kathy has been no ordinary District Representative. Everyone who 
comes into contact with Kathy takes an immediate liking to her. Her 
extraordinary sense of humor has helped her through some difficult 
times on the job. Once, on a hot July day Kathy and I were scheduled to 
tour an agriculture processing plant. Afterward we were scheduled for 
several meetings with my constituents. Needless to say, the hot weather 
mixed with the aroma of the plant did not make for a good combination. 
Kathy's remarkable sense of humor allowed her to get through the 
experience and the potential embarrassment when we left the plant to 
attend our next meeting. You might say we left the plant, but the plant 
did not leave us!
  Kathy is one of those rare people who when people see her walk 
through the door they immediately have a smile on their face. Rarely is 
she greeted with just a handshake or a simple hello. More often than 
not the people in the community greet her with a hug. She has a true 
gift for connecting with people.
  Not only will the people of the Second District miss Kathy, but her 
co-workers and I will especially feel her absence. Some on my staff 
have had the privilege of working with Kathy for the entire past nine 
years, and some have worked with her for a much shorter period. 
Regardless of the amount of time spent working with Kathy, everyone on 
my staff is able to agree on one thing. Kathy always brings out the 
positives in any situation and is able to find a silver lining in even 
the most negative circumstances. For the past several years Kathy has 
undertaken a project to help her co-workers and me remember the 
positive aspects of our job. Each month Kathy compiles all the ``thank 
you'' notes, e-mails and messages that come to all of my offices. She 
then forwards them to all her co-workers and me. This is a good example 
of this facet of her personality. It can be easy to let the negative 
comments and situation influence us, but every month the ``thank-
you's'' have reminded us of the positive impact our work can sometimes 
have on the people of the Second District.
  Kathy Reed will indeed be missed by not only the people of the Second 
District, but especially by her co-workers and me. I wish Kathy nothing 
but the best as she enters this exciting phase of her life. She and her 
husband Chuck plan to travel the country and spend plenty quality time 
with their children and grandson. I am truly sad that she will no 
longer be a part of my organization, but I am proud that she was with 
me for nine years, and I am honored to call her my friend.

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