[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 150 (Thursday, December 7, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2153]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    TRIBUTE TO MS. YVONNE A. GRIFFIN

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BARBARA LEE

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, December 7, 2000

  Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, today I pay tribute to an outstanding federal 
government employee, Ms. Yvonne A. Griffin. On January 4, 2001, Ms. 
Griffin will retire from the United States General Services 
Administration after a distinguished 28 year career marked by 
dedication, commitment to service and a superb work ethic.
  A native of San Francisco, Yvonne began her government service in 
April 1971, as an ``intermittent:'' GS-4 clerk-Steno for the General 
Services Administration's Space Management Division. In 1975 she began 
working in GSA's Federal Supply Service where she served as a 
Secretary, Administrative Assistant and Administrative Officer to the 
Regional Commissioner.
  Yvonne joined the Public Buildings Service in 1980 as a Program 
Analyst. In 1984, she made an important career move to the field of 
Property Management. She served as the Property Manager in Reno, Nevada 
where she worked until 1987. In April 1987, Yvonne came to Oakland, 
California as the East Bay Property Manager. Housed in leased space at 
1333 Broadway in Downtown Oakland, Yvonne and her staff were 
responsible for numerous federal properties, including the Alameda 
Federal Center, the U.S. Geological Survey complex in Menlo Park, the 
United States Court of Appeals in San Francisco, the San Jose Federal 
Building and the John F. Shea Federal Building in Santa Rosa. More 
importantly, she was actively involved in the construction of what was 
to become the Ronald V. Dellums Federal Building and has served as 
Senior Property Manager to the present day.
  In architectural terms, buildings are said to have ``footprints''--
the physical outline of the ground they cover. Since its opening in 
1993, the Ronald V. Dellums Federal Building has had a ``footprint'': 
covering far more than physical space. Thanks to Yvonne, the building's 
footprint has extended to the East Bay community at large. ``1301 Clay 
Street'' is an address that has come to represent a spectacular 
gathering place always open to people of diverse philosophies. 
Following Yvonne's lead, the GSA staff have focused on making the 
people who, in fact, own this exquisite structure feel welcome and 
respected.
  Under Yvonne's management, the Ronald V. Dellums Federal Building, 
has won numerous awards, the most prestigious being the 1997-98 
Building Owners and Managers Association International Government 
Building of the Year, and the 2000 Energy Star Designation.
  The daughter of French immigrants, Yvonne inherited both an affinity 
for hard work and a devotion to family. Her daughters, Michelle and 
Suzanne Griffin, and her grandsons McKinley and Cameron Parker, are the 
stars in her life's constellation. As she ends her federal career, she 
takes with her our appreciation, respect and warmest best wishes for a 
happy retirement with those she loves.

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