[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 36 (Monday, March 22, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2855-S2856]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          RICHARD BRIAN WILSON

  Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to a departing 
staff member who has worked with me in my Washington office for the 
last 5 years. Richard Brian Wilson, who has served as my legislative 
assistant, is departing my staff this week to return home to 
Mississippi. I wanted to take this opportunity to thank him for his 
dedicated serve and to wish him the very best as he pursues new career 
opportunities.
  Those who know Brian know of his keen interest in State and local 
politics. A native of Macon, MS, he has been involved in politics since 
high school. In fact, his fellow staff members have jokingly referred 
to him as a ``walking encyclopedia of Mississippi politics.'' I have no 
doubt this expertise will serve him well as he returns home to 
Mississippi.
  Brian graduated from the University of Mississippi in 1998 with a 
Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and History. Throughout 
his tenure at Ole Miss he was involved in numerous extracurricular 
activities where his leadership abilities became apparent. For 
instance, he served as Vice President of Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity, 
Student Body Vice President, and Student Body Senator. In recognition 
of his contributions to the university, I understand Brian was once 
named Student Body Senator of the Year. He also spent a great deal of 
time during his college years volunteering on political campaigns 
throughout the State.
  During the fall of 1998, Brian served as an intern in the district 
office of Congressman Chip Pickering. Immediately following his 
internship, in January 1999, Brian came to work for me in my Washington 
office. Throughout his service on my staff, Brian has grown in his 
ability to help me service my constituents and address a wide variety 
of needs and issues for Mississippians. He has handled issues ranging 
from appropriations to homeland defense, as well as environment and 
public works, agriculture, natural resources and interior, small 
business, rural development, and Indian affairs. Through his work on 
appropriations bills, such as Energy and Water Development, 
Agriculture, Interior, and VA-HUD, Brian has helped me steer millions 
of dollars in Federal funding to large and small communities all across 
Mississippi. In the process, we have improved infrastructure, created 
hope and opportunity in communities where none existed before, and 
provided a better quality of life for Mississippians throughout the 
State.
  For example, Brian has helped me secure Federal funds to improve 
water and wastewater systems in areas of Mississippi, such as DeSoto 
County, Jackson County, Fayette County, the city of Gulfport, Hancock 
County, and Madison County. He has worked to improve the infrastructure 
at our State's ports including the Port of Pascagoula and the State 
port at Gulfport. He was instrumental in helping me secure the initial 
funding for an environmental

[[Page S2856]]

infrastructure pilot program in Mississippi which has since helped fund 
numerous environmental infrastructure projects around the State. Brian 
also worked to help me secure the final funding necessary to complete 
construction of a new Federal courthouse in Gulfport. Of course, one of 
the things of which I know he is most proud is our work to help his 
hometown, the city of Macon. Through expansion of their water and sewer 
systems and a new multi-purpose facility to be constructed, we have 
begun to bring hope to this poverty-stricken area of our State.
  Brian is truly one of those unique individuals who has a thirst for 
knowledge about the issue areas he is assigned. He has spend countless 
hours over the past 5 years reading news articles, books, papers, 
academic journals, and industry publications to keep himself apprised 
of the latest events, issues and concerns relative to his assigned 
issues. In fact, I would venture to guess that he knows as much as just 
about anyone with regard to the many historic properties and places in 
Mississippi that he has worked hard to help me protect and provide 
resources for. Properties such as the Battle of Corinth Interpretive 
Center in northeast Mississippi, L.Q.C. Lamar's home in Oxford, and 
General Pemberton's headquarters at Vicksburg are just as few of those.
  Although Brian is leaving Washington, I have no doubt the knowledge 
he has gained through his work here will serve him well in his new 
capacity as Special Assistant to the Executive Director of the 
Mississippi Department of Marine Resources. In this position, Brian 
will serve as liaison for the Department with the Federal and State 
legislatures, as well as local governments throughout Mississippi and 
particularly along our Gulf Coast.
  While we all certainly will miss Brian, I know he is looking forward 
to returning to our home State and particularly to the warm climate of 
the Mississippi Gulf Coast. And although fresh seafood, the warm gulf 
climate, and unlimited fishing opportunities certainly justify Brian's 
move home, I know this move was compelled by his desire to be closer to 
family and friends, particularly his younger sister in whom he has 
expressed enormous pride throughout his stay in Washington.
  I wish to thank Brian for 5 years of dedicated service to me and to 
the people of Mississippi. I wish him the absolute best in this 
transition and in all of his future endeavors.

                          ____________________