[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 21 (Monday, March 4, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Page S1419]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO BARBARA F. WEAVER

 Mr. REED. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to an 
outstanding public servant in Rhode Island, Barbara F. Weaver, who is 
retiring from her position as Chief Information Officer for Rhode 
Island's Office of Library Services after a long and distinguished 
career.
  With an impressive background in libraries and government, Barbara 
came to Rhode Island as the new Director of the Department of State 
Library Services in 1991. During her tenure she has made a significant 
contribution. She is credited with expanding the information role of 
the Department into the Office of Library and Information Services, and 
with the creation of that office, she has the distinction of becoming 
Rhode Island's first Chief Information Officer.
  A leader in the library and information management worlds, Barbara 
has been responsible for coordinating the state's management 
information systems and coordinating library services to state 
government and to libraries throughout the state. She is credited with 
the creation of RI.gov, the state's World Wide web portal, and setting 
the stage for e-government in Rhode Island. She successfully brought 
Rhode Island through the y2k phenomenon without incident and has 
efficiently and effectively been in the forefront of new technologies.
  Barbara has also been active nationally as evidenced through her work 
with organizations like the Chief Officers of State Library Agencies 
and the National Association of Chief Information Officers. Her vision, 
initiative and professionalism are indeed noteworthy, and I have been 
proud to work closely with this outstanding professional on legislative 
initiatives geared to enhancing literacy, technology and accessibility.
  Rhode Islanders have been fortunate to have Barbara Weaver devote 
nearly a decade of service to our community. She has increased public 
and government awareness of the value of library services and leaves a 
lasting legacy of significant achievements which have brought library 
and information policy boldly into the new century.
  I ask my colleagues to join me in commending Barbara Weaver for her 
professionalism, unwavering commitment, and inspired vision. I am 
honored to join others in my state in offering praise and admiration of 
a grateful community for all her great work. We wish her much 
fulfillment and continued success.

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