[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 83 (Thursday, June 14, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6367-S6368]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 IN MEMORY OF VERNA ``SUZY'' JOYCE, DEDICATED PUBLIC SERVANT, WIFE AND 
                                 MOTHER

  Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, I rise tonight to pay tribute to Suzy Joyce 
who passed away today Thursday, June 14, 2001. Her sudden and untimely 
death leaves a void that for those who knew and loved Suzy will never 
be filled.
  Born Verna Joyce, but called Suzy by those knew her, in North 
Carolina on

[[Page S6368]]

September 15, 1957, Suzy began work in the United States Senate over 
two decades ago as a cashier in the Senate Restaurants. Since 1986, I 
had the privilege of having Suzy on my staff. During her tenure on my 
staff, she was a model employee whose expertise, dedication, diligence 
and attention to detail enabled my office to respond to constituents 
efficiently and effectively.
  Suzy played a vital role in advancing and modernizing our office's 
mail system. She arrived in the era of carbon copies and mimeograph 
machines, but she helped implement a new mail system that responds to 
the needs of the computer era when letters are as likely to arrive by 
email as they are by the US Postal Service. While my constituents may 
have never had the opportunity to personally meet Suzy, tens of 
thousands of them received constituent services, United States flags 
flown over the Capital and heard from me by mail because of her 
organization and efforts.
  Suzy was more than a dedicated employee. She was a warm and friendly 
woman whose infectious smile, sense of humor and love for the 
Pittsburgh Steelers filled our office, and earned her friends 
throughout the Senate. It seems as if everyone knew Suzy. She was the 
one who welcomed interns and told my staffers, who are prone to working 
long days, to remember to call their parents. When members of my staff 
went to the Senate Printing Office or the Architect of the Capitol, 
they were often admonished with orders to say ``Hello to Suzy.''
  I wish that more of my constituents had the opportunity to meet Suzy 
and her husband Rick. The two of them worked together in the United 
States Senate, and this is a better place because of them.
  Suzy and Rick's dedication extended far beyond work. They were 
dedicated to each other, their three children, their family and their 
God. Together, they embodied the American values of hard-work, faith 
and loyalty. Suzy and Rick, both natives of North Carolina, recently 
celebrated another anniversary together. Their love for each other was 
evident to all. Rick works as the Facilities Supervisor under the 
Office of the Superintendent, and Suzy would come into work with him, 
hours before our office opened so that she could ride to and from work 
with him. After work, Suzy frequently volunteered at her church where 
she was a regular attendee and an important contributor. She is 
survived by three wonderful daughters: Andrea, Candice and Dawn of whom 
she was extremely proud and talked about frequently.
  One never is able to prepare for the death of a friend or loved one. 
However, I trust that the friends, family and faith that were so 
important to Suzy in her life will continue to sustain her family in 
the days, months and years ahead. I and my staff will keep Suzy Joyce 
and her family in our thoughts and prayers. I know that the Senate 
family joins me in offering their condolences to the family of Verna 
``Suzy'' Joyce on the occasion of their great loss.
  I thank the Chair.
  Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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