[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 134 (Friday, October 11, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1818]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


   BERNARD E. BEIDEL, DIRECTOR OF THE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES' 
   OFFICE OF EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE, HONORED AS 2002 MEMBER OF THE YEAR

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. ROBERT W. NEY

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 10, 2002

  Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, each year, the Employee Assistance 
Professionals Association (EAPA) selects one person who has 
consistently demonstrated outstanding service throughout their 
professional career in the field of employee assistance. It is with 
great honor that I am able to say that this year's recipient of the 
``2002 EAPA Member of the Year'' award goes to one of our own, Bernard 
E. Beidel, Director of the House Office of Employee Assistance. Bern is 
being recognized for his commitment to the employee assistance field 
and the leadership he demonstrated most recently by providing 
assistance and support to the leaders of the House of Representatives, 
their staff, and their families following the difficult events of 
September 11th, 2001, and the House building evacuations due to 
anthrax.
  When the House first implemented the Office of Employee Assistance in 
1991, Bern was selected to head the program. Through his years with the 
House, he has helped many House employees, and managers, be at their 
best; both on the job and off. He has helped us expand this umbrella of 
care to also serve other employees of the House community to include 
the employees of the U.S. Capitol Police and the Congressional Budget 
Office and to guide us to a healthier workplace.
  Bern came to the House with over fifteen years of experience in 
employee assistance and has continued to prove himself as a leader in 
the field. He has authored a number of book chapters and articles on 
various issues and best practices in the EA field and has been a 
presenter and guest faculty member at numerous EA institutes. His 
commitment to the field is evident in his professional work as well as 
his willingness to serve as a Chair for a wide variety of EAP 
organizations and task forces, including the committee that rewrote the 
professional standards for the employee assistance field. Last year, 
under his leadership, the House Office of Employee Assistance was 
awarded the EAP Digest/Employee Assistance Professionals Association's 
`` 2001 Quality Award for EAP Excellence.''
  On behalf of the U.S. House of Representatives, I join his staff at 
the employee assistance office; his wife, Donna; and daughters, Cindy 
and Jessica in recognizing Bern for this outstanding and well-deserved 
award, and, for his ongoing caring, commitment, and dedication to the 
House and the people who serve here. Thank you Bern, and keep up the 
great work!

                          ____________________