[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 136 (Thursday, October 11, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Pages S10633-S10634]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  TRIBUTE TO STANLEY BLAKE HARRIS, CHIEF COUNSEL AND DEPUTY CHIEF OF 
                                 STAFF

  Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute and wish a fond 
farewell to a longtime staff member, Stanley Blake Harris, who is 
departing my personal office staff and returning to the State of 
Mississippi after more than fifteen years of exemplary service here in 
Washington. Throughout his career, Stan has served with distinction. It 
is my privilege to recognize his accomplishments and commend him for 
the superb service he has provided to me and to our home state.
  A native of Hattiesburg, MS, Stan graduated from William Carey 
College in 1982, ranked first academically in his class. During his 
tenure at William Carey, Stan earned the degrees of Bachelor of Arts 
and Bachelor of Science summa cum laude, with a triple major in 
English, History, and Social Science as well as a double minor in 
Business Administration and Political Science. In addition, Stan's 
classmates bestowed upon him the honor and privilege of serving as 
Student Government Association President while at William Carey.
  Upon his graduation, Stan enrolled in the University of Mississippi 
School of Law, from which he received a Juris Doctorate in 1985. His 
endeavors and accomplishments on behalf of the law school and his 
classmates were recognized as he was awarded the Dean's Outstanding 
Service Award, the Edward R. Finch Award, and the Stephen Gorove Award.
  Immediately following his graduation from law school, Stan continued 
his educational pursuits at Mississippi State University, where he 
enrolled in the Public Policy and Administration Program. However, 
before he could complete the program, duty in Washington called. At the 
beginning of 1986, Stan came to work for me in Washington as a Whip 
Assistant in the House of Representatives Republican Whip Office. From 
there, Stan went on to serve as Counsel in my personal office while I 
was a member of the House of Representatives.
  Upon my election to the United States Senate in 1989, Stan was named 
Counsel and Director of Projects in my office, and was charged with 
responsibility for establishing my Projects Department. In this role, 
Stan has directed efforts in my office to pursue public projects for 
the State of Mississippi. Along these lines, he has handled cases and 
projects involving virtually every Federal department and agency, 
including the Department of Agriculture, NASA, the Department of State, 
the Department of Justice, the Tennessee Valley Authority, the 
Appalachian Regional Commission and the White House. In addition, he 
has worked closely with officials in virtually every city, county, and 
state agency in Mississippi, while looking after Mississippi's needs. 
Further, Mississippi has benefited from the close working relationships 
Stan has developed with Congressional staff members in both the House 
and Senate.
  Although Stan has worked diligently for the nation throughout his 
tenure on Capitol Hill, he has always put Mississippi first. The thing 
I will always remember the most about Stan is his unflinching ability 
to ``out-bureaucrat the bureaucrats.'' His tenacity and refusal to 
yield on matters of importance to Mississippi have produced great 
results for our state. For instance, Stan has been instrumental in my 
efforts to secure a new Federal courthouse for Harrison County, 
Mississippi. He has worked tirelessly for me for the past decade to 
ensure that a new bridge over the Pascagoula River is built for the 
people of Jackson County. And just last year on my behalf, he opened 
doors in Washington for officials from his hometown of Hattiesburg, who 
are endeavoring to construct a new intermodal center for the City of 
Hattiesburg. He also has worked closely with Mississippi's universities 
to improve educational opportunities in our State and to make these 
facilities the finest in the Nation.
  But Stan's work on Capitol Hill has not been limited to Mississippi 
projects alone. Over the past fifteen years, he also has maintained a 
special focus on Federal ethics. During this time, Stan has served as 
my counsel through such prominent cases as the Durenberger and 
``Keating Five'' hearings, as well as other notable ethics inquiries. 
In fact, because of his work, Stan was selected to serve on the Senate 
Ethics

[[Page S10634]]

Reform Task Force. As an outgrowth of his Federal ethics work, Stan has 
also developed a special commitment to law enforcement organizations 
nationwide. Because of his work on behalf of law enforcement groups 
everywhere and our nation's parks, Stan has been named an honorary 
member of the U.S. Park Police.
  Several years ago, as if his plate wasn't already full enough, Stan 
fulfilled a lifelong dream of joining the Mississippi Army National 
Guard. For a number of years now, he has regularly communted between 
Washington, D.C. and Jackson, Mississippi to fulfill his duty 
requirements. During that time, he has risen to the rank of Major in 
the Judge Advocate General Corps where he now serves as Deputy Staff 
Judge Advocate for Headquarters, 66th Troop Command.
  On Wednesday, October 17, 2001, Stan will conclude over fifteen years 
of faithful and loyal service in my office. And while it is difficult 
to lose a staff member with such dedication and institutional 
knowledge, I know that he and his family are excited about returning 
home to Mississippi where Stan and his wife, Lauren, can begin raising 
their four children with an appropriate southern accent.
  In the weeks ahead, Stan will begin a new journey in his professional 
and legal career as the Chief Deputy Assistant United States Attorney 
in the U.S. Attorney's Southern District office in Mississippi. I have 
no doubt that Stan will serve the Department of Justice, the State of 
Mississippi, and the people of our Nation, in this role with 
distinction and integrity. On behalf of my colleagues on both sides of 
the aisle, I want to wish Stan all of the best in his new career. Stan, 
may this new chapter in your life and career be rewarding, fulfilling, 
and bring you all that you hope for in your future endeavors. Thank 
you, again, for your service and my warmest congratulations on a job 
well done.

                          ____________________