[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 53 (Thursday, May 2, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E679]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   IN RECOGNITION OF BARBARA McGRATH

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. HILDA L. SOLIS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Wednesday, May 1, 2002

  Ms. SOLIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Barbara McGrath as 
she completes her fellowship in my office this week and returns to her 
permanent position at the U.S. Department Defense's National Imagery 
and Mapping Agency.
  Barb joined my office last May and quickly became an integral part of 
my staff. As a full time Legislative Fellow, Barb handled several key 
issues that are important to my constituents--tax relief for working 
families, the preservation of Social Security for our senior citizens 
and the viability of our community's small businesses just to name a 
few.
  She worked tirelessly to research the background for my bill H.R. 
3015, The Working Families Tax Rebate, which would provide an immediate 
$300 payroll tax refund to families that didn't qualify for one under 
President Bush's plan. If passed, this law would have benefited the 29 
million workers who paid payroll taxes but did not earn enough to 
receive an income tax rebate last year.
  Barb also coordinated the multiple newsletters we have sent to my 
district's senior citizens, informing them about Congressional efforts 
to guarantee the security of Social Security adjust the Social Security 
Cost-of-Living Adjustment and provide an affordable prescription drug 
benefit under Medicare. And she was instrumental in helping arrange a 
small business fair for my community.
  Her knowledge of defense issues was also especially important in the 
days following the tragic events of Sept. 11. In fact, Barb made such a 
contribution to my staff that we negotiated with NFMA to extend her 
fellowship, which was scheduled to end in December, through early May.
  But Barb has been more than a dedicated staff member. She has also 
become a key contributor to the camaraderie in my office. The unique 
perspective she brought to her fellowship enabled everyone in my office 
to approach their jobs from a different angle. And with her witty and 
insightful comments about everything from personal Issues to 
professional ones, she was quickly dubbed the office favorite. I know 
she will be dearly missed, and I wish her well in her future endeavors.

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