[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 112 (Friday, August 3, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1517]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         TRIBUTE TO GEORGE PENN

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. E. CLAY SHAW, JR.

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, August 2, 2001

  Mr. SHAW. Mr. Speaker, this week, the Ways and Means Subcommittee on 
Social Security bids farewell to George Penn. George, a detailee from 
the Social Security Administration's Office of Inspector General, has 
served the Subcommittee with distinction as a Professional Staff member 
since March of last year.
  George brought a wealth of new experience to the Subcommittee, having 
served over 4 years as Senior Attorney for the Office of the General 
Counsel to the Inspector General. Before then, George served 6 years as 
a Senior Attorney for the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation/
Resolution Trust Corporation, 2 years with the Department of the 
Interior as an attorney, and many years in general private practice.
  With George's expertise the Subcommittee was better able to tackle 
one of the fastest growing crimes in America--identity theft. With the 
rise of the internet age, our Subcommittee has had to deal with a 
threat to the integrity of the Social Security number as we have never 
seen before. Supported by George's skill and leadership, the 
Subcommittee has held numerous hearings on Social Security number 
privacy and identity theft. Last year, his efforts culminated in the 
Ways and Means markup of the ``Social Security Number Privacy and 
Identity Theft Prevention Act of 2000.'' With George's help, 1, along 
with a number of my Ways and Means colleagues, have held another 
hearing and have introduced similar legislation this year. George's 
commitment to excellence, masterful negotiating skills, and steadfast 
adherence to our key principles for this legislation, have helped to 
ensure a fair and comprehensive approach to protecting the privacy of 
Social Security numbers and preventing identity theft.
  In addition, George has worked on a number of hearings and resulting 
legislation aimed at improving the integrity of Social Security 
programs. George's vast knowledge of the law, superior analytical 
skills, and attention to detail have helped focus the Subcommittee's 
oversight efforts on those Social Security Administration's stewardship 
efforts most needing improvement.
  Agency detailees sometimes find the politically charged atmosphere of 
Capitol Hill overwhelming. But George jumped right into the fray and 
proved to have an excellent political mind. In addition, using his 
train commute to good end, George graciously presented the Subcommittee 
staff with Godiva chocolates on a regular basis. Needless to say, he 
will be a hard act to follow in many regards.
  Americans owe a debt of gratitude to George Penn. His 
professionalism, integrity, and commitment to improving government's 
service to the citizens of this country have greatly assisted the 
Subcommittee and the full Committee on Ways and Means. My heartfelt 
thanks and best wishes to George Penn.

                          ____________________