[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 118 (Tuesday, September 2, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Page S10986]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         COMMENDING MICHAEL J. McGHEE, KEEPER OF THE STATIONERY

  Mr. DeWINE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate 
proceed to the immediate consideration of S. Res. 218, which was 
submitted earlier today.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution by title.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 218) commending Michael J. McGhee, 
     Keeper of the Stationery, United States Senate.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I wish to take a moment to recognize a 
faithful, long-serving member of our Senate family. Mike McGhee--our 
Keeper of the Stationery--retired this past 29th day of August, after 
serving the Senate for almost 30 years.
  Mike began his Senate career in July 1974 as a sales clerk when the 
stationery room operation was located in the basement of the Russell 
Building. He worked his way up in the stationery room to become the 
17th Keeper of the Stationery. It is interesting to note that the 
Senate Stationery Room has been in existence since the very first 
Congress assembled in Federal Hall in New York City. Since that time--a 
period of 230 plus years--there have only been 16 other Keepers of the 
Stationery, a very exclusive group of people indeed!
  During Mike's almost three-decade career, he has developed life-long 
professional relationships with many Senate employees. Indeed, most 
Senate staff and members know him and know that they can count on Mike 
to provide the help they need.
  Of special note is Mike's ``beyond the call of duty'' response to the 
anthrax attack and related closure of the Hart Building, including the 
Stationery Room. Under Mike's leadership, the Stationery Room continued 
operations throughout the response period, fulfilling the countless 
requests for supplies under a most challenging atmosphere. Mike and his 
staff helped keep the work of the Senate rolling.
  Mike's family--his wife Kathleen, son Luke, and daughter Molly--are 
justly proud of their husband and dad, respectively, for his many 
tireless efforts and the significant contributions he has made to the 
Senate and our country.
  As Mike leaves the Senate family, the Senate will miss him. On behalf 
of all my colleagues and our entire Senate family, I thank Mike for his 
dedicated service and wish him and his family God-speed in retirement.
  Mr. DASCHLE. Mr. President, I wish to add my congratulations to Mike 
McGhee on his career here in the Senate and to wish him well on his 
retirement. His rise, over nearly a 30-year span, from clerk in the 
Stationery Room to become the 17th Keeper of the Stationery shows the 
dedication and hard work that everyone has come to expect from Mike. 
The stationery office serves the entire Senate community and involves 
managing over a $4 million budget. He has accomplished this task both 
efficiently and effectively. His commitment to public service has been 
exemplary. I wish him and his family all the best in the years to come, 
and I congratulate him on a job well done.
  Mr. DeWINE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the 
resolution be agreed to; that the preamble be agreed to; that the 
motion to reconsider be laid upon the table; and that any statements 
relating to this resolution be printed in the Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 218) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

                              S. Res. 218

       Whereas the Senate recognizes that its Keeper of the 
     Stationery, Michael J. McGhee, retired on August 29, 2003;
       Whereas Michael J. McGhee became an employee of the Senate 
     in August 1974, and since that date has ably and faithfully 
     upheld the high standards and traditions of the Senate for a 
     period that included 16 Congresses;
       Whereas Michael J. McGhee has served with distinction as 
     Keeper of the Stationery, and at all times has discharged the 
     important duties and responsibilities of his office with 
     dedication and excellence; and
       Whereas Michael J. McGhee's exceptional service and his 
     unfailing dedication have earned him the esteem and affection 
     of the Senate: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) commends Michael J. McGhee for his exemplary service to 
     the Senate and the Nation;
       (2) wishes to express its deep appreciation for his long, 
     faithful and outstanding service; and
       (3) extends its very best wishes upon his retirement.
       Sec. 2. That the Secretary of the Senate shall transmit a 
     copy of this resolution to Michael J. McGhee.

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