[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 111 (Thursday, July 24, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1580]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               EXPRESSING APPRECIATION TO JONITA WHITAKER

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DONALD M. PAYNE

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 23, 2003

  Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my appreciation to an 
outstanding professional, Ms. Jonita Whitaker, who has served as a 
State Department Pearson Fellow in my Washington Congressional Office 
for the past year. Under this excellent program, Foreign Service 
Officers work on Capitol Hill, learning the legislative process and 
sharing their expertise in international relations. I believe the 
program provides tremendous benefits to both members of Congress and to 
the State Department professionals who participate.
  Over the past year, Jonita has proven to be a shining star on my 
staff. As a member of the House International Relations Committee, I 
have benefited tremendously from her extensive knowledge, her expertise 
in foreign affairs and immigration law, her foreign language skills, 
and most of all, her passionate dedication to public service. Jonita 
quickly mastered the many complex global issues we deal with on a daily 
basis.
  Jonita has played a leading role as an advisor on a number of key 
issues, including developments in Iraq, the movement to return the 
Parthenon Marbles to Greece, efforts to reach a political settlement in 
Cyprus, the peace process in Northern Ireland, daily updates on 
developments in Africa, and the eradication of polio world-wide, among 
her many other contributions. Reports she provided to me when she 
traveled to Northern Ireland to witness the Orange Order parades were 
enormously helpful.
  Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to have this opportunity to thank Jonita 
Whitaker for all of her hard work and to wish her continued success as 
she moves forward in her career.

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