[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 97 (Friday, June 27, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1400]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO JOEL WILLARD

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. GREG WALDEN

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 26, 2003

  Mr. WALDEN of Oregon. Mr. Speaker, I would like to pay tribute to a 
member of my Washington, D.C., staff for his years of faithful service 
to me and to the good people of Oregon's Second Congressional District. 
Joel Willard has been my Executive Assistant for over 2 years, 
performing a myriad of responsibilities in a hectic environment with 
dedication and poise. It's a tough job, and he excelled at it. Joel 
will leave my office this week to continue his education as a law 
student at the University of California at Berkeley, where I have every 
confidence that he will demonstrate the same talents that have made him 
such an invaluable member of my staff.
  Mr. Speaker, Joel is a lifelong Oregonian and the son of a highly 
respected southern Oregon family. His father, Dave, is a long-time 
servant of the Oregon public school system and has worked for ten years 
as the Superintendent of the Phoenix-Talent School District. Joel's 
mother, Jana, is a homemaker who has returned to graduate school after 
raising her children. Like Joel, his brothers Chad and Gabe are fine 
young Oregonians with bright, promising futures. I am proud to call 
them my friends.
  One of Joel's defining characteristics is his dedication to the 
people of his native state. Since his days in the Oregon State 
Legislature working for State Representative Rob Patridge, Joel has 
pursued his passion for public policy and public service from Salem to 
Washington, D.C. He came to the Nation's capital on a weekend's notice 
and brought with him both his love of Oregon and his reverence for the 
American system of government. I have no doubt that he will return to 
the West Coast with the same idealism that first inspired him to serve 
his fellow citizens.
  Perhaps Joel's most impressive trait is his deep religious faith and 
personal commitment to the teachings of Jesus Christ. Prior to his 
marriage, Joel lived in a home for Christian men on Capitol Hill called 
Jonathan House, where he enjoyed the company of young professionals who 
shared his moral convictions and dedication to the Christian church. 
Joel's unwavering devotion to his beliefs, in an age when so many young 
people lack a guiding moral compass, has deeply impressed me and those 
with whom he has worked.

  Mr. Speaker, in July of last year, I had the honor of attending 
Joel's wedding to his lovely bride, the former Elizabeth Horton, who 
has been at Joel's side since their early teens. Elizabeth, also a 
lifelong Oregonian, has made her love of children a career as an 
elementary school teacher, a calling for which she is particularly well 
suited. Joel and Elizabeth are the sort of people that parents want 
their children to grow up to be, and it gives me great pleasure to know 
that they will share their lives together.
  Mr. Speaker, it goes without saying that Joel will be difficult to 
replace. If you were to poll my staff, they would be unanimous in their 
regret at his departure, as he has been a reliable coworker and caring 
friend. While we are sorry to see him depart the office, we are happy 
to watch him enter a new phase in his life that I know will bring both 
great challenges and great rewards. I have no doubt that he will do as 
well pursuing a legal career as he has done in his work on behalf of 
the people of the Second District. Joel, thank you for a job well done, 
and know that you are leaving my office with my deepest gratitude and 
that of the people you have so ably helped me to represent. We're 
counting on you to keep in close touch.

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