[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 16 (Wednesday, January 29, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E110]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                RETIREMENT OF CAROLINE STRICKLAND BRYSON

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. DUNCAN HUNTER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 29, 2003

  Mr. HUNTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor Caroline 
Strickland Bryson upon her retirement after 20 years of loyal and 
dedicated service to the United States Congress.
  Caroline was born on December 10, 1943, in Columbia, South Carolina. 
She attended the University of South Carolina in 1962-63 and the 
Institute of Financial Education in 1978. Before coming to work for 
Congress, she worked for 14 years with Lexington County Savings & Loan 
and served for four years on the Lexington Town Council.
  Caroline began working on Capitol Hill in 1983 with my good friend, 
the late Honorable Floyd Spence of South Carolina as his Executive 
Assistant and Office Manager, in which she served for 18 years. In this 
capacity, Caroline supervised the office staff, managed a million-
dollar annual budget and served as the public relations liaison for 
Congressman Spence. For six of those years, Congressman Spence served 
as Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee. As a result of her 
position and responsibilities in the Chairman's office, Caroline 
regularly interacted not only with Members of Congress, but with 
foreign dignitaries, the press, and the President's Cabinet as well.
  Following her tenure with Congressman Spence, Caroline served briefly 
as a Staff Assistant with the House Armed Services Committee and later 
as the Executive Assistant for Senator Mike DeWine of Ohio. In each of 
these capacities, Caroline's professional experience, warm charisma, 
and friendly attitude led her to excel at all levels.
  Caroline's southern charm has always been a trademark of her 
personality. I know from my personal conversations with Congressman 
Spence that he held Caroline as an invaluable member of his staff and 
was always impressed with her dependability, loyalty and patriotism. In 
a place where many people come and go, Caroline is a symbol of 
commitment and dedication from which many of us could learn. I 
congratulate her on her retirement and thank her for two decades of 
honorable service to this Congress and her country. On behalf of the 
House Armed Services Committee and the U.S. Congress, I wish you the 
best of luck as you begin this new and exciting chapter of your life.

                          ____________________