[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 32 (Thursday, February 27, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Page S2914]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO BRENDA S. GEIST

 Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, I rise today to honor Mrs. Brenda 
Geist on the occasion of her retirement from the Department of the 
Navy. Today, we celebrate with Brenda and her family her remarkable 37 
years of exemplary and distinguished service to the Navy and the 
Nation. It is a privilege for me to address the Chamber today in honor 
of Brenda.
  ``Far and away the best prize that life offers,'' Teddy Roosevelt 
remarked, ``is the chance to work hard at work worth doing.'' When 
Brenda first began with the Navy Department at the Charleston Naval 
Station, she understood that supporting the men and women of the Sea 
Service was indeed work worth doing. Brenda has remained true to this 
principle ever since.
  From the small Navy office on the Cooper River to the many postings 
around the world that followed, Brenda quickly became recognized by all 
for her acumen and accomplishments. Understandably, Brenda's talents 
were ultimately sought by the Chief of Naval Operations and the 
Secretary of the Navy in Washington, D.C. In 1987, Brenda was selected 
to serve as the director of the Congressional Travel Division for the 
Navy Secretary's legislative affairs office. Past being prologue, 
Brenda's record of success continued unabated and has been nothing 
short of outstanding.
  For 15 years, Brenda has been a key advisor to a succession of eight 
admirals. During her tenure, Brenda planned and coordinated travel 
around the world for more than 300 congressional delegations. A superb 
financial manager, Brenda also responsibly managed annual budgets of 
over $1.5 million--maintaining flawless documents and receiving the 
highest possible praise at every audit. Every day, her work directly 
supported the positive, productive interaction of senior Navy 
leadership and the Congress.
  The Pentagon on the Potomac is a long way from the little Navy office 
on the Cooper River. Brenda's heartfelt commitment to the Navy's 
officers and sailors, her guiding compass over the years, never 
wavered.
  Sharing this adventure with Brenda is Captain Gary Geist, U.S. Navy 
Ret., her husband of 24 years, and their children, Jim, Stacey, Darcey, 
Sam, and Curtis. With the loving support of her immediate Navy family, 
Brenda time and again, rose to the occasion for her larger extended 
Navy family.
  Mr. President, I invite you and our Senate colleagues to join me and 
offer our sincere appreciation to Brenda Geist for her years of 
dedication and outstanding service. We wish her and her loving family 
``fair winds and following seas'' as they begin their next adventure 
together. They will be sorely missed, but most certainly never 
forgotten.

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