[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 87 (Friday, June 13, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1254]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING THE SERVICE OF BATON ROUGE ADVOCATE REPORTER JOAN McKINNEY

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CHRISTOPHER JOHN

                              of louisiana

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 12, 2003

  Mr. JOHN. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to have been a member of this 
body for the past seven years. In that time our world and our Congress 
have gone through times of grief, destruction, joy and prosperity. 
Through it all, there has been a constant voice at my side asking me 
the tough questions and reporting news of my actions in Congress to the 
news consumers in Louisiana.
  As of today, that voice will move on to ask others the tough 
questions and aid Capitol Hill's press gallery reporters in relaying 
the latest news to their vast readerships. After 24 years as the Baton 
Rouge Advocate's Washington reporter, Joan McKinney is putting her 
skills to use in a new arena as Deputy Director of the U.S. Senate's 
Daily Press Gallery.
  My colleagues and I in the Louisiana delegation will miss her energy, 
her attentiveness, and most of all her objectivity. Joan's depth of 
historical and institutional knowledge of both House proceedings and 
the Louisiana Congressional Delegation is unrivaled. Having begun her 
career as press secretary to U.S. Senator Fritz Hollings of South 
Carolina, Joan understands the challenge of being both question asker 
and information giver.
  Her colleagues at The Advocate describe Joan as ``an excellent 
reporter who worked very hard to understand the complex issues she 
covered through the years. She understood the federal system and was 
able to anticipate developments on important stories. And, she was very 
good at understanding and communicating how federal issues might play 
out in Louisiana and how they might affect people here.''
  We will all miss Joan's coverage of our lively delegation, her ear 
for a unique angle and her inquisitive spirit. She's not going far--
perhaps only a few desks from her current one in the Senate Press 
Gallery--but she leaves a gaping hole for her predecessor to fill.
  Joan, I wish you all the best in your new job. You'll be missed. 
Congratulations!

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